'Bizarre' chess table removed from car park

A hole remains where the chess table stood

A council has removed a chess table from a Nottingham car park after it was criticised by some residents.

Nottingham City Council installed the chequered table and seating at Winchester Street Car Park in Sherwood in December.

The new addition triggered a mixed reaction from residents who questioned the choice of location.

The council removed it on Thursday saying it had listened to "feedback" from people in the area.

The table - now removed - could be reinstalled in a park, the council said

The council said the chess table was a feature of a new "E-Mobility Hub" - one of six it is installing around the city - which also included bike storage and Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers.

A council spokesperson said: "The hub at Winchester Street in Sherwood included seating and a table designed for general use as part of the environmental improvements.

"However, given the feedback received from some local residents, we agree the table did not sit well at this location and so have decided to relocate it to another area.

"It's important to be clear that these projects are intended to be experimental by nature. It's a healthy and key part of the process that we respond to public feedback."

'Not for me'

After the table was installed, Sam Bird, 44, who lives in Sherwood and frequently uses the car park, said she felt it was "bizarre".

"Why do it?" she said.

"There's not many spaces in the area. I don't understand. I'm sitting in my car thinking, what a waste of money.

"Who is coming to the car park to play chess?"

However, Ruth Rice, 59, told the BBC: "I spotted it and thought, 'that looks really lovely'.

"You can sit there, play a bit of chess with a friend, it's great for socialising.

"I love it and want them all over the place."

However, her son Bradley added: "It's not really a nice place to sit and relax...it's a car park.

"You'd be looking out on to all of the cars while trying to play a game of chess. It's not for me."

The council said the table had been put in storage, and could be installed in a park at a later date.