HISTORIC Greenock Fountain Being Dismantled For Revamp
A HISTORIC fountain in Greenock town centre is being removed for restoration work.
Contractors have started dismantling Lyle Fountain in Cathcart Square, which was gifted to the town in 1880.
The delicate process began earlier today, Monday 12 April, and is expected to take several days.
There may be some disruption for drivers and pedestrians during this time.
The fountain will be taken to Wigan to be returned to its former glory by a specialist company which previously renovated the Grand Fountain in Fountain Gardens, Paisley.
Work is due to take around four months but that may vary depending on the condition of the ironwork once it has been descaled and stripped of paint.
The restoration is expected to cost just over £56,000.
An Inverclyde Council spokesperson said: “Lyle Fountain is an iconic feature of Greenock town centre enjoyed by many a resident and visitor over the last 141 years.
“It’s also a link to the heritage of Greenock and Inverclyde as a whole. That’s why it’s important that we restore this piece of history for future generations to admire.”
The fountain was gifted to Greenock by Abram Lyle, the founder of the Lyle sugar refinery. He served as town provost from 1876 to 1879 before moving to London to set up a refinery producing golden syrup.
The circular fountain is capped with an ornamental dome featuring the crests of 18 prominent families of Greenock including Ardgowan, Watt and Morton.
