The fountains at Birmingham’s Centenary Square have now been switched off for over 18 months. The council says repair work is ongoing and stuck in an approvals process – but no date has been given for their return. Residents say the delay is impacting families and the square’s atmosphere.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00At the heart of Birmingham's civic identity sits Centenary Square,
00:07a centrepiece of public investment and local pride.
00:10But for a year and a half now, something's been missing.
00:13The fountains, once a draw for families and visitors, have been switched off.
00:17A lifeless basin now sits where children once played.
00:21According to the council, they were turned off in October 2023
00:25to make way for the Icegate Birmingham event.
00:28That was expected. What followed wasn't.
00:31Eight months ago, we were told routine maintenance uncovered further issues.
00:36Since then, no timeline, no costings, no visible progress.
00:40Only a vague reference to an internal spend approvals process.
00:44It's more than just an eyesore.
00:46The Square was rebounded as world-class when it reopened in 2019.
00:50Over £10 million came from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull
00:54Local Enterprise Partnership.
00:56Another £3 million from the council, plus planning levies.
00:59A major civic investment.
01:01Yet the centrepiece feature is still out of action.
01:04And this isn't just about prestige.
01:06During the summer months, the fountains offered families a rare bit of respite.
01:10Applies for kids to ply without cost in a safe social setting.
01:14With the council's finances under national supervision and every pound supposedly under scrutiny,
01:20the lack of urgency speaks volumes.
01:22This was a flagship project.
01:24If it's left to rust, what chance do less visible corners of the city have?
01:29Public spice is about trust.
01:31If the council can't maintain the centre of its own city, one of the most visited locations,
01:36then confidence in its ability to manage anything else starts to evaporate just as quickly.