Superlambanana campaign timeline

THE Daily Post’s campaign to save the Superlambanana was launched on February 16, 2008 a day after it was revealed it could be sold to Manchester at the end of 2008

Within days the campaign had the backing of business leaders and celebrities, including comedians Ken Dodd and Ricky Tomlinson.

Soon after council leader Warren Bradley and opposition leader Joe Anderson also gave their support.

In mid-March battle lines were drawn when Liverpool Culture Company wrote to Mr McEntegart demanding he provide evidence of Mr Chiezo’s ownership.

Days later Wayne Colquhoun, a well-known Liverpool art dealer, said valuations of £1m for the sculpture were in “Superlambanana-land” and the city should pay no more than £120,000 for the sculpture.

In April, Mr McEntegart served the council with a Freedom of Information request for ownership documents of the 17ft creation, after admitting the artist did not have the papers.

Despite both parties agreeing to hold talks, Mr McEntegart and the Culture Company did not meet until September.

After further months of protracted negotiations, it finally appeared that a deal was on the cards in December.

Mr Chiezo had travelled to the city but talks collapsed at the last minute, and he returned to Japan without having reached an agreement.

Today, Mr Chiezo, leader of Liverpool City Council Warren Bradley, and culture supremo Phil Redmond will sign a deal to secure Superlambanana will remain in the city for at least another 80 years.

davidbartlett