A path of painted paw prints in Inverness metropolis centre is to stay in place after it was estimated it might cost as much as £12,000 to take away them.
Highland Council had the markings put down final autumn at a cost of greater than £800 to encourage folks to go to the town’s Victorian Market – and to additionally point out it was dog-friendly venue.
The native authority has carried out a overview of the initiative and requested councillors if the paw prints ought to keep or go.
They have opted to go away them in place for now, after a warning that removing might probably harm paving and escalate the clean-up prices.
Image supply, Getty Images
One motive for the path was to indicate that the market was dog-friendly
The path goes from Lombard Street by Drummond Street to the Union Street entrance of the historic – and not too long ago revamped – Victorian Market.
Earlier this week, Highland Council’s Inverness metropolis space committee heard issues from some businesses that there was a scarcity of session on the set up of the path.
The prints had been put in final autumn
In a report back to the assembly, council officers beneficial leaving the prints in place in the intervening time.
They stated the path had been put in as a constructive initiative to assist metropolis merchants and it had been famous there had been elevated visits to the market.
The officers stated removing carried vital threat as a result of there was no guarantee paving slabs wouldn’t be broken, and the restore prices might be as a lot as £12,000.
Overlaying the prints with a special color paint or one other font additionally got here with dangers.
Officials stated this might elevate the peak of the paw prints and create a visit hazard.
Highland Council stated there can be an extra overview of the path later within the yr.
A spokeswoman added that it will be working with Inverness Business Improvement District round session with metropolis centre businesses.
Butcher’s canine
The market, which first opened in 1870, has a canine’s story hooked up to it.
In 1889 the gas-lit building was gutted by a hearth. All that was left standing was a stone-built entrance means.
There was a single casualty within the blaze – a butcher’s canine.
It had been left out there over the weekend to protect its proprietor’s store and died within the fireplace.
