Key Highlights
- A metal bar was briefly added and then removed from a famous hole in the wall outside a NatWest branch in Ilkeston.
- The hole became an internet sensation after receiving numerous positive reviews on Tripadvisor, ranking as the top attraction in the town.
- Locals expressed relief upon learning that the bar had been removed, with one resident calling it “completely and utterly stupid.”
- NatWest stated that customer and community feedback is very important to them and that the hole has been restored.
A Hole in the Wall Causes Stir: Bar Added Then Removed
In a development that left residents of Ilkeston, Derbyshire, both perplexed and relieved, a metal bar briefly placed across a famous “hole” in the wall outside a NatWest branch was swiftly removed. This circular landmark, which has been a source of amusement and community pride since December 2018, recently garnered attention when a bar appeared to be installed on it.
Since its introduction, this hole had become the subject of countless positive reviews and humorous descriptions on Tripadvisor. Locals competed to describe the oddity in increasingly grandiose terms, with one fan declaring it an “architectural marvel” and another describing the queue as a “majestically pointless” experience.
On Monday morning, social media users were taken aback by photos showing a bar screwed across the hole. However, by mid-afternoon, the bar had been removed, with NatWest spokespersons stating that customer and community feedback is crucial to them. “The hole has been restored,” a spokesperson told BBC Ilkeston.
Local Reaction
The sudden addition of the bar sparked concern among locals who saw it as an unnecessary obstacle. “What did they do it for in the first place? Because it’s been like that for years,” commented Maggie Taylor, a resident of Ilkeston. She added, “Just doesn’t comprehend does it?”
Other residents echoed similar sentiments.
Ken and Sue Elber, local residents, agreed that a bar was “completely and utterly stupid.” Ken expressed relief when he saw the bar removed, stating, “Children love that hole. We can all go back to normal now.”
The Hole’s History
Introduced during a mid-1990s refurbishment as a safety feature, the hole was initially installed so people using the cash machine could see if anyone was lurking behind the wall. However, its popularity among locals and tourists turned it into a highly rated attraction on Tripadvisor.
The influx of reviews saw TripAdvisor temporarily block new posts about the hole but later lifted the ban. This unique landmark has since become an important part of Ilkeston’s local identity, with Erewash MP Adam Thompson voicing his concern over its removal. “Obviously, its status as a great tourist attraction began as a bit of a laugh but it’s come to really mean something to people,” he said.
Thompson added that the hole has become an “important part of our local identity.” He plans to write to NatWest to seek clarification on why the bar was installed and its removal, hoping to ensure the hole remains a key feature in Ilkeston’s future.
The incident highlights the delicate balance between maintaining community attractions and responding to feedback. While the bar’s addition may have been intended for safety reasons or other purposes, it quickly became a source of local debate, ultimately leading to its swift removal.
