MAKE it York says no final decision has been taken over whether to demolish the fountain in York's Parliament Street.

The city’s new destination management organisation said this afternoon that the issue will be discussed at the next board meeting, on which elected members sat including City of York Council's chief executive, leader and deputy leader.

Kate McMullen, Head of Marketing, said an early meeting had taken place with representatives from the council to discuss issues around the fountain and how the space in Parliament Street could be best used in the future, including the viability of demolishing the fountain."

Chris Price, city centre and markets manager for Make It York, said yesterday it believed it was the 'right decision' to remove the fountain and 'open up a wider, more enjoyable space' on the street, which festival organisers could use. He added: "Our understanding is that works are planned for the autumn."

The Press' report of his comments prompted a wave of comments online from readers, many of whom opposed the loss of a traditional meeting place.

City centre councillors called earlier today for a public consultation to be held before the fountain is removed.

Denise Craghill, a Green councillor for Guildhall ward, said the fountain had always been an important meeting place for York people and residents should have their say before any final decision was taken.

She also said more general issues of accountability and democracy were raised by Make it York's decision to demolish the fountain, and she intended to raise these as well as the fountain itself at a meeting she was due to attend with the organisation next week.

>>> FLASHBACK: Fountain faces demolition

Cllr James Flinders, a Labour councillor for Guildhall, said he agreed the public should have its say before any decision on demolition.

He said residents had commented to him about the fountain with mixed views; some favoured its removal while others said it should stay, albeit restored to full working order.

But Guildhall's other councillor, Labour's Janet Looker, said that while she loved fountains, York had 'never got them right' and she was not sure York had ever taken the Parliament Street fountain to its heart. "For me fountains should either be extravagantly exciting, or don't bother," she said.