A green and bright garden in the heart of London has been closed for around 200 days.
The grassy space which is warmed by the sunlight surrounds the fountain in Leicester Square, making it the perfect place to relax after a morning of sightseeing or working.
But in reality the central garden is sealed off, and has been since October 13, with jarring metal poles and bright red tape forbidding anyone from getting too close.
As Metro visited, around 50 tourists could be seen awkwardly eating their Pret sandwiches on a concrete wall surrounding the park.
The space was taped off ahead of the installation of last year’s ice rink Christmas attraction.
Some 193 days later – with daily temperatures in the double figures – no one is really sure why it remains roped off.
But locals have certainly had enough.
Abdul, who works in a cafe around the corner, said although it happens every year, it doesn’t make it any less annoying.
He told Metro: ‘It should be a place for people to relax, eat their lunch while they on their break and look at the fountain.
‘It’s ugly, and it ruins the atmosphere.’
As Metro walked around the area, tourists stood looking the locked gates. For the whole day, the small park was completely shut ahead of the Devil Wears Prada 2 premiere rather than just the grassy area.
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The statues of Mr Ben, Paddington Ben and Mary Poppins are sat out of reach, all of which are part of ‘Scenes in the Square’, get to enjoy the space but are firmly out of reach for those who have come to see them.
Simon Thomas, chairman of the Hippodrome Casino, took a picture of a family navigating the tape and parked vans as they tried to pose with the statue of Mr Ben.
He told Metro: ‘It is one of the most visited squares in the UK, and it looks like a building site.
‘Visitors travel across the world to see us and this is the message we send them. They will hardly be thinking, “at least the council earnt some money over Christmas”. They’ll be wondering why we aren’t as nice as Paris.’
Westminster City Council said: ‘Leicester Square hosts a series of popular events and activities throughout the year which attract millions of visitors and tourists from across the world into the heart of London.
‘The calendar features major film premieres and high-quality cultural interventions, as well as an ice rink which operates during the winter period.
‘Returfing of the lawn areas commenced as soon as weather conditions allowed. The lawns will reopen on the 1 May to allow the public to enjoy them over the summer months. The Gardens and seating areas have remained open to the public throughout the returfing period.’
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