A second bench inspired by the Ricky Gervais Netflix series Afterlife has been destroyed by vandals in Nottingham. The seat, which was installed in Highfields Park in January last year, was meant for anyone who has recently lost someone or who may be struggling with their mental health.
But a few weeks ago it was completely destroyed during an attack that also saw litter bins ripped from the ground and thrown into the lake, Nottingham City Council said. It was one of two benches given to Nottingham as part of a project between Netflix and mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
The other, situated in the Arboretum, had to be replaced last August after it was left in pieces by vandals. However, due to the fact there are no spares left, Highfields cannot receive a new one.
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The city council said it would instead replace it with one of its own, carrying a special plaque to identify it as part of the wider Afterlife campaign. Eddie Curry, head of public realm, said: “Residents and park users will understandably be upset and angry about this, and we completely share the sentiment.
“Netflix donated 25 benches to parks across the UK. Nottingham was the only place outside London to receive more than one.
“The original Arboretum bench was vandalised last summer and Netflix very kindly sent us their final spare seat shortly afterwards," added Mr Curry. “Given there are no more left, we will now replace the Highfields one with a council bench carrying a special plaque to identify it as part of the wider Afterlife campaign.
“The fact that two have now been destroyed by vandals is so disappointing. We have taken steps at Highfields recently to prevent vehicles being driven on to the park with bollards put in place, and we’ll look again here to see if there’s anything we can do to further increase security.”
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