Battle lines drawn up over Woolton’s elephant

Apr 10 2008 by David Bartlett, Liverpool Daily Post

AN ELEPHANT never forgets so goes the saying, and neither do the residents of Woolton, a Liverpool bar chain has come to learn.

In March last year, Korova Corporation removed the distinctive animal head sculpture from the Grade II listed former Elephant Hotel in Woolton Street without listed building consent causing outrage.

Heritage campaigners have been left wondering whether there was just not room for two animals at the venue now named Casa del Cocodrilo.

The controversy is now set to be played out at a public inquiry as the council have served a notice on Korova to reinstate the elephant or find an appropriate replacement.

Korova have appealed against this notice but insisted they are working with the council and a conservation agency towards restoring the elephant head to its former glory.

It is likely that the public inquiry in May will take around one day to complete.

Last night Rob Gutmann, founder of Korova Corporation, said: “Korova Corporation is fully committed to the restoration and rejuvenation of one of south Liverpool’s most interesting buildings.

“We are currently working with Liverpool City Council and a conservation agency towards fully restoring the elephant head to its former glory.”

The early 19th century building was originally a regency house, and the elephant’s head was added to the building in the 1930s when it became a pub.

It stands in the Woolton Conservation area and was given a Grade II listing in 1975.

Its distinctive elephant head forms part of the architectural details outlined in its official listing description.

Last night a council spokesman said: “We have served a notice on Korova requiring the company to put back the head if possible and if not to find an appropriate replacement.

“We will defend our position at the public inquiry.”

Peter Eustace, of Woolton village residents association, said the group was supporting the council.

“The elephant had been there for as long as I can remember. It was a very prominent and popular feature.

“To just do it as it was without consultation didn’t go down very well.”

When the head was removed last year it was claimed that builders had “sledge-hammered” the sculpture from the building.

This was denied by Korova who have always maintained the elephant head will be returned to the building.

At the time a spokesman for the company said: “The elephant head wasn’t sledge-hammered off, it was taken down.

“It was a bit rickety and it will be restored and put back up. The whole place is being restored.”

In 1994, the then owners Boddingtons were ordered to return the pub’s distinctive iron hanging sign after replacing it with a modern painted one.

Around three years ago Korova completed the transformation of St Peter's church in Seel Street was transformed into Alma de Cuba bar and restaurant to critical acclaim.

davidbartlett