A “MARMITE-LIKE” water feature in the centre of the town has been defended as a boost to business.

The metal sculpture, between Regent Street and Canal Walk, was blasted as a “failure” by Lib Dem leader Stan Pajak (Eastcott) during a meeting discussing the town’s economic future.

Councillors lamented the state of the town centre, and Coun Pajak branded the £240,000 Crumpled Water Walls, installed in May 2010, a “great failure”.

“It’s insignificant,” he told the Adver afterwards.

“What’s the point of it? There’s a lot of things that could have been done in its place.”

But deputy leader of the council Coun Garry Perkins said shops in the area had seen a distinct rise in profits in the past 12 months.

“It’s one of those things like Marmite; you either love it or you hate it,” said Coun Perkins (Con, Shaw and Nine Elms) “You might not like the water feature or the money spent on it, but it has had a significant impact.”