Local council approves 72ft steel palm tree to entice tourists
It’s Costa del Cleethorpes! North Sea resort wants to lure visitors back to its beachfront… with a 72ft palm tree made of STEEL
- Plans to add a 72ft steel palm tree at Cleethorpes seaside resort are going ahead
- The steel tree is expected to regenerate interest in the area, once very popular
- North East Lincolnshire councillors hope the tree will be a big success
- The public reaction to the tree has been mixed, with some calling it ‘barmy’
Visitors brave enough to take a dip in the sea at Cleethorpes are unlikely to describe the experience as tropical.
And certainly they won’t see many palm trees on the town’s beach.
However, councillors have decided that a 72ft palm tree made out of steel is just what the Lincolnshire resort needs to entice families back.
The tree will be higher than the Angel of the North sculpture which overlooks the A1 in the North East, and will be the centrepiece of a £600,000 regeneration scheme on the town’s North Promenade.
Local councillors have pushed ahead with plans to install a 72ft steel palm tree at Cleethorpes seaside resort in Lincolnshire, which will be taller than the Angle of the North
German artist Wolfgang Weileder came up with the palm tree idea after being commissioned by North East Lincolnshire Council to design a landmark work of public art. Critics have laughed at the idea of such a tree in a resort that’s hardly tropical, but Mr Weileder insisted: ‘In the light of climate change there might be palm trees growing on our coasts soon anyway.’
Pictured: poster produced for British Railways Eastern Region promoting Cleethorpes seaside resort in Humberside
The tree will be lit up at night and rubbish collected from beaches will be used to help make an artwork ‘shadow’ of the tree on paving under it.
The project will include ‘contemporary works of art’ on the shutters of businesses along the prom to create an outdoor art gallery.
There will also be ‘dynamic swirling’ lights and ‘funky fitness furniture’ to sit or exercise on. It is all being paid for by the Government’s coastal communities fund.
The scheme is designed to ‘boost footfall’ at the resort, which in its heyday was a hugely popular destination for holidaymakers from Yorkshire’s industrial towns. Despite a mixed public reaction, the tree was approved yesterday by the council’s planning committee.
Stephen Harness, committee chairman, admitted he did not like the sculpture at first but added: ‘Sometimes an idea has to sit for a period of time. This may encourage more people to come to the resort.’
The steel palm tree will be the centrepiece of a £600,000 regeneration scheme on the town’s North Promenade (pictured, Cleethorpes Rock Stall)
The tree will be lit up at night and rubbish collected from beaches will be used to help make an artwork ‘shadow’ of the tree on paving under it (pictured, Cleethorpe beach promenade)
Cleethorpes was a popular destination for holidaymakers from Yorkshire’s industrial towns
However councillor Tim Mickleburgh described the palm tree as ‘barmy’ and said: ‘What on earth does a palm tree have to do with Cleethorpes?’
The reaction was even less welcoming on a local news site’s social media page. Rachel Nolloth said: ‘Can’t believe what I’m reading, I’ll give it five days before its covered in graffiti and trashed.’
Rick Oakes said: ‘Perhaps try to get more visitors, with attractions and upgrades, not something that will just be laughed at!’
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