Business leaders get behind campaign to save statue

Feb 18 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

BUSINESS leaders last night pledged their support for the Daily Post’s campaign to save the city’s iconic Superlambanana.

It comes after the Daily Post exclusively revealed that the popular attraction could be sold – possibly even to Manchester.

In an online poll, around 87% of readers agreed that Liverpool should fight to save the Superlambanana after it came to light that the artwork was only ever on loan to the city.

Francis McEntegart, solicitor for Japanese artist Taro Chiezo, who created the Superlambanana, said his client was not looking for “anything crazy” – only a fair price for the sculpture.

Last night, key figures from the city’s business community backed our campaign to keep the Superlambanana in Liverpool.

Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Trade, said: “It is obviously something which has become increasingly associated with Liverpool and is part of the city’s new, modern tourism look.

“It will be a great shame for us to lose it now. So long as the price is right, I back this campaign.”

Frank McKenna, chairman of lobby group Downtown Liverpool in Business, said: “It has been here for about 10 years now and during that period of time, it has become part and parcel of Liverpool’s infrastructure.

“I don’t think that if it were relocated to any other city, it would find the same level of affection as that of Liverpudlians. I am surprised to find that there was a possibility of it being taken away. Like a lot of people, I assumed it was here to stay.

“I think the city has a duty to do all it can to save it.”

Mr McEntegart has yet to have the 17ft tall Superlambanana valued, but has suggested that it could be worth more than Antony Gormley’s Iron Men, at Crosby beach, which cost more than £1m.

“We should not necessarily just be thinking about £1m being offered up by the public sector,” said Mr McKenna.

“There needs to be some goodwill shown [by the artist], maybe some private sector sponsorship ought to be found.”

Mr McEntegart has written to the Liverpool Culture Company to start discussions about the sculpture’s purchase.

The Culture Company has said it will be happy to sit down and talk as the loan agreement with the city comes to an end on December 31, 2008, after which time Japanese artist Taro Chiezo will be free to exercise his right to claim back the icon.

Originally commissioned in 1998, the Superlambanana has had a number of homes around the city.

It currently stands guard outside the Liverpool John Moores University learning resource centre, in Tithebarn Street.

davidbartlett@dailypost.co.uk