SORRY to say, Sheffield just doesn't seem to be able to get its head round what makes an icon and what doesn't.
We have a fantastic railway station frontage. But it is clearly impractical, making it extremely difficult to pick up and drop off passengers.
Work is underway to convert Grade** listed Park Hill flats to modern homes. Sadly, the building will rem
ain a brooding blight on the city's landscape.
The Winter Garden raised hopes that the city had finally got things right, offering an iconic backdrop to the Peace Gardens, only for the St Paul's Hotel to mask the view. It now peeks out almost apologetically while its most stunning elevation is reserved for hotel guests.
And there is a marked lack of agreement over the Tinsley Cooling Towers. Not that this matters for they will come crashing down in a cloud of concrete and grime in a few hours' time.
Attercliffe MP Clive Betts made an excellent, last minute rallying cry in support of them, suggesting they are a welcome sign to people arriving home and offer 'massive symbolism' to the achievements of municipal endeavour when councils were responsible for supplying the fundamental services of modern living, from electricity to water.
Sadly, the die is cast. There will be tears of regret and smiles of satisfaction when the towers crumble - and probably in equal measure.
One thing is sure, the towers' memory will live on as it cannot be denied they certainly made their mark on the millions of motorists in particular who drove past the structures.
But what of the new buildings rising beneath the cranes in the city? One in particular already vies for the place as the city's latest eyesore/icon.
The multi-storey car park overlooking Arundel Gate, which is festooned with multi-directional plates, is already nicknamed the Cheese Grater.
But we agree with the designers that critics should not be too hasty to condemn. Apparently when illuminated from within and externally, it will take on a whole new look. But will that look be enough to win over the hearts of the people of Sheffield?
One thing is certain, we are desperate for an icon...but a glowing car park hardly seems to match the expectations of what people are happy to suggest is a City of European Significance.
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