‘Reckless’: Rose Bowl Fountain vandalised days after £21m Queen’s Gardens refurb completed

UNDERGOING REPAIRS: The Rose Bowl Fountain

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

The Rose Bowl Fountain in Queen’s Gardens has been vandalised, just days after the gardens were reopened to the public after a £21m project to transform the city centre’s most important green space.

Hull City Council said the fountain has been switched off while repairs are carried out.

The incident happened over the late-May bank holiday, when entry was forced into the fountain’s control room and “significant damage” was caused to operating equipment.  

As a result, the electronic system that controls the fountain requires reprogramming. Alongside this the fountain needs draining and cleaning before it can safely be brought back into operation, the council said. 

Repair work is now underway in partnership with local specialist The Water Feature Company.  

Councillor Mark Ieronimo, the council’s portfolio holder for transport and infrastructure, said: “It’s incredibly disappointing to see the Rose Bowl Fountain targeted in this way, especially during the opening week of Queen’s Gardens. 

“This kind of reckless and irresponsible behaviour is completely unacceptable. It’s not only resulted in the damage of a much-loved feature, but it is also going to cost taxpayer money to repair and clean – which could be better spent elsewhere.   

“The Rose Bowl fountain is a key part of Queen’s Gardens, and we know many residents and visitors who are visiting will be disappointed to see it switched off.  

“We are working hard to repair the damage and get the fountain up and running as soon as possible so everyone can enjoy it again.  

“We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding while the issue is being resolved and urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward.” 

The council is working closely with Humberside Police to identify those responsible and urges anyone who witnessed the incident to call 101, quoting crime reference number 26000076036.

Queen’s Gardens sits on the site of the former Queen’s Dock and will serve as a key pedestrian link in the Hull Maritime project, being nestled between the Maritime Museum and North End Shipyard.