Shock over 'hideous' Bath cash machine

A 'hideous' cash-dispensing kiosk has appeared in the centre of Bath. The white ATM cash machine and payphone was installed at New Street this week. Its appearance has staggered many residents and was opposed by a landlord in the Kingsmead Square area, who said it was out of keeping with efforts to improve the community. Managing director of commercial property experts HPH, Lindsay Holdoway, has been involved with the plans to transform Kingsmead Square into a new alfresco dining area. "We spend an awful lot of time designing the urban realm in Bath to make it better as a World Heritage Site but we seem to allow equipment like this to be sited in inappropriate places, which detracts from all the efforts everyone is making - that's my real concern."

Well this is classy in @welovebath@nowbathpic.twitter.com/D3F79Zrlxl

— Paul Cross (@crossmeister) December 12, 2013

I'd love to know who allowed this hideousness in an area trying to regenerate. *slow clap* @bathnespic.twitter.com/pgmTifDkdS via @crossmeister

— Shannon (@Canuck_in_Bath) December 12, 2013

Cash machine, Kingsmead Sq, #Bath. Bastard offspring of a K2 phone box and a fridge freezer. pic.twitter.com/i5HqALsqLi

— Hugh Dixon (@hugh_d) December 12, 2013

The structure has been put up by BT as part of an upgrade of phone boxes. The objection to B&NES Council added: "Kingsmead Square can suffer from periods of public disorder. We have been advised by various agencies that the selling of drugs and the presence of drug users is a significant issue. We believe there is a strong case for removal of the existing telephones with no replacement as the telephone appears to be part of the reason for the unlawful activity. Clearly the addition of an ATM service may only increase this problem. ATM services are available nearby at both the Odeon cinema and Sainsbury's Local and slightly further afield in Westgate Street. We do not believe there is demand for a public payphone in this location." BT in its successful application to the council argued: "The introduction of an ATM machine will help to encourage people to withdraw cash to use within the surrounding area thereby supporting local businesses." The firm said the housing of the machine "fits well into the existing street scene" and "will not look out of place."