MYSTERIOUS giant bowls put in Derby city centre have been revealed to be... tree planters.
They are part of a £1 million refurbishment scheme at the junction of St Peter's Churchyard, East Street and St Peter's Street.
Derby City Council was yesterday unable to say how much the three planters had cost individually.
Shoppers in the city centre had mixed views on the appearance of the planters and were angry that public money had been spent on them.
The £1 million for the overall scheme has come from the city council's capital budget.
Joan Tomlinson, who lives off Bishops Drive, Oakwood, said the pots would look lovely with flowers in.
But she said: "They shouldn't have spent money on them. Also, how long will they last? They are not indestructible, I wouldn't have thought. Will people out at night smash bottles against them?"
Sharon Ryde, 49, of Ashbourne Road, Derby, said they looked out of place where they are – to the side of the street – and would look better as a centrepiece.
She said: "If public money has been spent on these then it's outrageous. I hope they put some pretty flowers in them as well."
Graeme Christie, of Allestree, said: "They look horrible. The council has done a nice job of revamping the area generally but the trouble is there are still people drinking on the streets there."
A council spokeswoman said the tree planters were "made from concrete with a colour mix to give the impression they are granite".
A day of street entertainment at the newly-refurbished area, known as St Peter's Cross, will be held on Saturday to celebrate its completion.
The area has been completely repaved, with space for entertainment, new seating and lighting.
To complement the work, St Peter's Church has been cleaned and new lighting will be installed to enhance its architecture and stained glass windows.
It has been carried out by the council in partnership with the St Peters Quarter Board, which organises activities under the area's Business Improvement District status.
Traders have welcomed the changes.
Caroline Cadman, from the Bon Marché womenswear store, previously said: "The work has really modernised the area and created a much-needed space for entertainment and relaxation in the busy St Peter's Quarter.
"Hopefully, this will encourage many more people into the area."
