Blogger’s Note: I have omitted a bank’s trading name, a social media website, and a customer rating website – all of which appear in the original of this article (linked above). Although this is a quaint example of British humour and irony – the article is packed full of capitalistic advertisement – and what looks like at least one racist comment presented as “humour”. It is doubly ironic in that this type of sarcastic humour (which protests against soulless capitalism by pretending it possess a soul) is subsumed in capitalist virtue signalling whilst being broadcast to a broader audience. Let this be a lesson of just how brutal and clever the bourgeois system can be. Even working-class rebellion is re-possessed and re-processed (before being disarmed) – and sold-back to the workers as pointless (and harmless) “entertainment”. In ancient China, of course, rounded doors and windows were common within temples and amongst the houses of the nobility and rich. the “rounded” shape is associated with geomancy that is “feng shui” (wind water) – which encourages and facilitates the free flowing of qi-energy throughout the structure – usually in continuous spirals. Just what this means for a post-industrial Derbyshire town is anyone’s guess. ACW (21.1.2026)

Backlash after metal bar installed at bank hole ‘tourist attraction’ – only to be removed after MP pens letter to bank bosses

The metal pole was added and removed within a 24 hour period – with locals left up-in-arms at the addition

By Danielle de Wolfe @dannidewolfe – 20 Jan 2026, 11:51

The hole, located outside a bank branch on Bath Street, Ilkeston, became a tourist hotspot during Covid, with tongue-in-cheek visitors to the wall branding it a “true modern masterpiece” and “must visit” location.

Despite receiving a slew of 5 star ratings on travel site and becoming the town’s most highly-rated attraction, Derbyshire locals were left baffled on Monday after a metal bar was installed through its centre.

Since reviews first appeared in December 2018, the circular landmark saw the hole become something of a regional treasure.

However, the curious transformation left locals, devotees and hole fans up in arms, even pushing local MP Adam Thompson to pen a sternly worded letter, demanding bank bosses offer “clarification” as to why the pole was installed in the first place.

But within 12 hours of the metal feature first appearing, the bar miraculously disappeared, leaving many to question the point, expense and need for its installation.

Following the bar’s installation, one local commented on a social media post highlighting the bar’s installation: “I’m assuming this has been constructed to allow two people to pass through the hole at the same time, thus cutting down the queuing time down Bath Street.

Another wrote: “So who is going to be the first person to get stuck in the hole and have to be rescued by our brave fire brigade?”

A third added: “Council asked “how can we make money from this” and someone suggested the council should turn it into a bar.”

“I hear it is being turned into a HMO on the top half and a Turkish barbers at the bottom,” wrote another.

The bank are yet to publicly comment on or justify the reasons behind the installation, with many locals left baffled by the high street addition.

The swift pushback from locals and fans of the ‘Bank [trade name omitted] Hole’ alike quickly caught the attention of local MP Adam Thompson.

In a written response, the MP wrote that the hole had become an “iconic symbol” of the town, noting the bar’s installation had raised “concern and speculation among Ilkeston residents”.

“The hole is well known locally and has become something of a landmark,” he continued, insisting the whole is “one of those small quirks that contributes to Ilkeston’s unique character and identity.”

“I believe I speak for many residents in saying there is relief the pole has been removed,” he said.

Adding: “that being said, I’d appreciate some clarification as to why the pole was installed in the first place, and, if possible, the reason for its removal.”

The hole in the wall, which was reportedly first installed as a safety measure allowing ATM users to see those lurking on the other side, was installed in the mid-1990s.

It achieved something of a cult-status when increasingly grandiose, faux reviews began appearing on a holiday review website, with some reviewers branding it an “architectural marvel” and a “circular wonder”.

In response, the bank told LBC: “Customer and community feedback is very important to us. The “hole in the wall” has been restored.”