What about adding plenty of grit and planting up with alpines?

Hi Maggy doh me what are alpines? and are they green or colourful?

Some alpines are evergreen and all alpines have flowers.
Alpines are very small plants that thrive in small amounts of soil, on alpine slopes.

Your garden centre would start to get a lot in now because they'll start to flower from winter onwards.

For colour 'now' why not plant some cyclamens in there and winter pansies maybe, it'll have to be something that has a very small root-run because your trough doesn't look deep enough for most plants to get their roots down deep enough.

I have a rockery and have a lot of alpines in there - i love small delicate plants :-))

Alpines would work well - but only if that sink is in full sun, not somewhere shady.

Just make sure there are drainage holes in it. If not, select bog plants!

It does need good drainage that is why I said plenty of grit to keep it open and free draining, I have added a photo of my antique sink that has a few alpines it badly needs re-doing though , thats a job for the spring though I think.
These sinks usually have a big plug hole in the bottom so they should drain alright with plenty of crocks at the bottom.

I agree. I wasn't referring to your comment Maggy, just wanting to make sure that there are drainage holes too or it will still get boggy no matter how much grit you add. My comment was in addition to yours.

ty so much for your comments i will add pictures this weekend ty you again mark :)))