City of Wolverhampton Council will on Monday 28 September 2015 begin the installation of a showpiece bench engraved with a historical extract to crown the regeneration works in Princess Street.

The £20,000 granite art feature has been produced by Bolton firm Hardscape, who shipped the material from China - one of the main sources of granite in the world.

It has been funded with money secured through a section 106 agreement as part of a development in Lichfield Street.  This is a legal agreement that obliges the developer to fund works that are of public benefit.  In this case the money must be used to provide a work of public art or craft. There is no cost to the taxpayer.

The bench will sit proudly at the heart of an area of Wolverhampton the council has created as a public space where events can take place.

Improvements in Princess Street have seen it pedestrianised during daytime, as well as new paving, lighting and street furniture installed, to make it part of the city core shopping area.

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Assets, said: "The bench is a unique design that has been produced specifically for this location.

"It incorporates detailed artwork which has required a significant amount of skilled stonemasonry work.

"It is befitting of a city and the council's regeneration plans, and combines an art feature with a piece of street furniture where people can sit and relax."

  • released: Wednesday 23 September, 2015