Kenilworth area's yellow makeover dubbed 'custard corner'

[dutchman]

A bright yellow public space has been ridiculed by social media users, who have branded it "custard corner".

The section of Station Road in Kenilworth attracted the unusual name after it was painted the striking colour.

It has been closed to motorists since the Covid-19 pandemic and was permanently pedestrianised in 2023.

A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said the work was carried out to "renew and refresh" its old surface, with yellow chosen as the most cost-effective option.

The BBC spoke to people after the newly-designed area became a topic of conversation on the Kenilworth Vibes Facebook page.

Some local residents said the colour was "vile" while others thought it looked just right for the summer.

Jim Perryman, who was enjoying some shade at the redecorated location on a sunny day, said the colour was "awful".

"It makes it look like a no-waiting zone," he told the BBC.

Mr Perryman, from Kenilworth, said he thought a pedestrianised area was a good idea, but the redesign looked like it had been done with leftover paint used for double yellow lines.

"I would prefer a green or even artificial grass," he said.

"Just something to make it look a little bit more like it was a lawn to sit by."



Robert and Barbara Wright, who are also from the area, said they used the spot as a regular place to meet friends.

They said the council had also reduced the number of benches from five to two but they were not too bothered about the colour.

"I like it," said Ms Wright.

Her husband added: "It's something for people to talk about isn't it? [Custard Corner] is a good name for it."

A spokesperson for Warwickshire County Council said it had allocated £42k to "renew and refresh the old road surface".

"The yellow surfacing was chosen as the most cost-effective option," a statement read.

"The planned works are now complete although [the council] may look to install tree guards in the coming months."

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'Custard Corner' becomes surprise hit with tourists after town is left 'laughing stock'



A historic market town's public space, dubbed "Custard Corner" after a bright yellow paint job, has turned into a surprise tourist hotspot. The decision by council chiefs to spend £42,000 repainting the pedestrian area in Kenilworth was initially met with mockery.

Residents slammed the new look on Station Road, using words like "vile", "nauseating", and "overpowering" to describe the colour, and criticised it as a squander of taxpayer money. However, against all odds, "Custard Corner" has become a hit, earning a spot on Google landmarks and garnering a series of five-star reviews from visitors.

Local business owners are capitalising on the buzz, with custard tarts popping up on menus and one coffee shop erecting a large sign to welcome patrons to "Custard Corner". Ashely Davis, owner of Morning Sunshine coffee shop, expressed his desire to spin the negative press into something beneficial.

He also mentioned that a councillor had confirmed to him that surplus double yellow line paint was used for the project as a cost-saving measure. Ashley, aged 33, commented: "We placed the sign outside because it happened to match the colours of our business over the road.

"The space has really divided opinion but we thought why not lean into that and seize the marketing opportunity. We are in talks with the council to sponsor it too working with Britain in Bloom, so we can add benches and more planters which I think it needs.

"Councillors have also confirmed to me it was left over double yellow line paint as part of a cost-cutting strategy. I'm surprised the council haven't said anything about the sign but it's been allowed to stay so far.

"But we now want to focus on turning it into more of a pleasant space where people can sit and relax and have their lunch." Local resident and hairdresser, Sal Hardy, 29, added: "We became a bit of a laughing stock and a joke but we can also laugh at ourselves.

"I think people have embraced it now and are having a bit of fun with it. The Station House bar has even started selling custard tarts. It still doesn't look great but we'll all get used to it."

Google reviews have seen some humorous takes, including one visitor who dubbed it a "must-see tourist attraction", while another bemoaned the lack of custard. Rowan Williams penned: "Enlightening experience. Less custard than one would expect, but well worth a visit nonetheless."

Lorna Lingard contributed: "So far, it appears this patch is not shark-infested. Prone to the odd busker. Cheerful yellow colour - bring your own crumble." Cal Daly quipped: "Unparalleled artistry. The perfect 21st century rival to the Sistine Chapel or Sagrada Família.

"Complete your visit with a nice sit down with a Sainsbury's meal deal, observing the pigeons and pondering life's greatest questions such as "why am I here?", "what does it all mean?" and "how did it come to this?""

Richard Sturt remarked: "Especially recommended for dessert lovers." The road had been permanently closed to motorists during the pandemic and reopened as a pedestrianised area in 2023.

Warwickshire County Council gave it a fresh coat of paint earlier this month in an effort to "renew and refresh" the area. A council spokesperson said: "The initial closure of Station Road, Kenilworth was funded by Government and implemented to assist with social distancing and encourage outdoor seating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"When restrictions were lifted, it was identified that the area would still benefit from improvements to further enhance the space for pedestrians, so £42,000 was allocated from the Delegated Budget to renew and refresh the old road surface; the yellow surfacing was chosen as the most cost-effective option."