MONTHS since the first benches were removed from Winchester High Street, the restored seating is making a return.
Winchester City Council started re-installing the high street benches on Tuesday, May 9 after many people questioned their disappearance on social media.
A spokesperson for Winchester City Council said: “Earlier this year from the Broadway up to Jewry Street we replaced seven of the standard benches with new ones – we also provided two more to replace ones that were removed in previous years when they were beyond repair.
READ MORE: Winchester High Street benches removed for maintenance return in April
"Additionally, we removed seven bespoke benches and these needed to be refurbished by the manufacturer – Factory Furniture. We are pleased to say that these have been returned by the manufacturer and are currently being reinstalled in the High Street.
"Given the temporary reduction in seating while the bespoke benches were being refurbished, we converted the concrete planters in the high street into seats (near M&S and the Guildhall) – adding wooden slatted tops to them for comfort.”
Maintenance and removal began in January and are part of the council’s £30,000 ‘repair or replace’ program for all the benches in the city centre.
Later in the spring, benches will be renewed in The Broadway, Jewry Street, Middle Brook Street and St George's Street with the aim of improving the district’s streetscape.
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