Nottingham campaigners say there has been 'complete disregard' for the city's famous speakers' corner - after a slide was placed in the area. The slide, which is part of the city's Winter Wonderland and Christmas market, has been installed at speakers' corner, located at the junction of King Street and Queen Street by the Brian Clough statue.
Speakers' corner is an area where open-air public speaking, debate and discussion are allowed. Open Nottingham is a group which helps the public in the organisation and running of protests and demonstrations across the city.
Chris Tregenza, a member of Open Nottingham, said he was concerned about the placement of the slide at speakers' corner. "There has been a complete disregard for the purpose of the area," he said.
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"We had the same concerns as last year. We don't want to inconvenience people but it's ridiculous that the council is not doing something about this."
Nottingham City Council Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, defended the position of the slide, saying the purpose "was not to restrict freedom of assembly or speech".
Councillor Kotsonis said: "The plan was to activate different sections of the city centre. Meetings have taken place with a number of partner organisations to discuss the details of the design and the public safety aspect."
The Christmas fair slide is only a temporary fixture in the area. Nottingham's speakers' corner has recently hosted protests supporting women in Iran while also playing host to several Extinction Rebellion and climate change demonstrations.
Nottingham's speakers' corner was officially opened in 2009 by then-Justice Secretary Jack Straw. It became the first official speakers' corner outside of London. The speakers' corner was unveiled alongside a statue of former Nottingham Forest manager, Brian Clough.
The Winter Wonderland, organised by the Mellors Group in tandem with Nottingham City Council, this year features a new aerial ice rink, known as the Sky Skate ice path. The Christmas market runs until Saturday, December 31.
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