Locals are furious after thousands of pounds were spent on a Hollywood-style sign in a Leicestershire town, with residents calling it an ‘absolute waste of money’.
The sign was erected in Wigston and bears the town’s name but its inhabitants believe the new installation is a misuse of public funds.
A Freedom of Information request revealed the sign cost more than £10,500.
Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, however, have defended the move, arguing it has created a sense of ‘local pride and identity’.
Angry residents have taken to social media to express their displeasure. One wrote: ‘Who decided what to spend the money on?
‘I don’t recall any time the local residents were asked for their thoughts.’
While there have been concerns about the allocation of the funds, the biggest issue appears to be the vast sum spent on the sign.
One local said: ‘Absolute waste of our money.’
Locals are furious at a Hollywood-style sign in Wigston, with residents calling it an ‘absolute waste of money’
Local MP Neil O’Brien has said residents deserve better than the wasteful purchase by the council
Another echoed this sentiment, saying: ‘Complete waste of money. Why is there even a grant for this rubbish? It shows the council is completely out of touch.’
Disgruntled community members believe that free parking, funding of the high street and upgrading local green spaces are among the myriad of issues that more urgently require investment.
One scathing reviewer referred to the sign as a ‘Temu Hollywood-style sign’, in reference to the heavily discounted online marketplace Temu, which mass produces its merchandise.
Local MP Neil O’Brien claimed that ‘residents deserve better’ than the ‘wasteful’ new installation, particularly in light of the council’s plan to remove bins from across the district.
The Tory MP said the sign revealed the council’s ‘weird priorities’ and inappropriate spending.
And one resident said: ‘What does this do to enhance the area? Yet another waste of taxpayers’ money.’
The council shared a video of the sign to its Facebook page, writing: ‘Along with other recent works in our town centres, including our murals, this sign was funded by the UK Government through a pot for town centre improvement works.’
But a slew of negative comments were written under the post, and the council even went as far as to respond to a comment which read: ‘Another waste of taxpayer money.’
The community feels that Wigston (pictured) has other issues that more urgently require funding
The council shared a video of the sign under construction, which provoked an angry response from locals in the comments
The council replied: ‘That’s a sad outlook. It’s important to keep updating and improving public areas and town centres.
‘This and other recent improvements in Wigston come from funding the council applied for on behalf of the borough.
‘If we hadn’t applied, it would simply have gone elsewhere.’
This did little to quell locals, who fear the sign will be vandalised or destroyed within a short while of being installed.
While some have praised the work done by local metal company One Fabrication, the workmanship alone has not swayed the public.
One person said: ‘The local park has lost a bench, the skate park needs repair and four rubbish bins have rotted away not to be replaced.
‘This looks great but the location – next to the free car park that is now pay and display – is going to rub salt in the wound.’
MailOnline has contacted Oadby and Wigston Borough Council for comment.