Local history group fighting for 55-year-old sculptures on Grimsby car park to be saved if demolition goes ahead
A local group who aim to preserve the history and heritage of Grimsby are calling for a set of sculptures dating back to the 1960s to be saved if the car park they are attached to is demolished.
North East Lincolnshire Council's cabinet will meet at 5pm on Wednesday, September 18 to decide on the fate of the four-storey car park on Abbey Walk in Grimsby town centre, which has been closed since May because of structural issues.
A final decision will be made on whether to demolish the car park - which was built in 1969 - and replace it with a ground level-only car park.
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But the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society is calling on the Council to establish a plan to preserve the concrete reliefs on the side of the car park, which were designed by renowned artist Harold Gosney.
Speaking to Grimsby Live, Kerry Henderson, Executive of the Society, said: "If, owing to the safety concerns, Abbey Walk Car Park cannot be repaired and retained for future use, we would urge the Council Cabinet not to approve demolition until there is an agreed plan to preserve the abstract concrete reliefs designed by artist Harold Gosney."
North East Lincolnshire Council is "exploring options" on what to do with the works, Cllr Stewart Swinburn confirmed.
The Cabinet member for Highways told Grimsby Live: “We are currently exploring options on what to do with the works by Harold Gosney on the side of Abbey Walk car park. We are meeting the artist later this month to try to understand how they were created, and whether they can actually be removed from the structure, safely, and in one piece.
"Once we understand this, if there is a way forward, we can explore options about what to do with the artwork and whether, and how, any of it can be preserved for the future.”
Speaking to the BBC, artist Harold Gosney, 87, said: "The four designs I produced were inspired by drawings in the handbook of the car that I had at the time, which was an Austin Cambridge estate car, and included suspension, carburetor, etc.
"If the decision to demolish the car park on safety grounds is made, but at the same time if Grimsby residents feel it important for the artwork to remain as part of its community, my suggestion would then be that one of each of the four concrete panels could be preserved."
From 1pm to 4pm on Friday, September 27, the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society will host the premiere screening of a specially commissioned film titled 'Harold Gosney: The Irresistible Urge to Create', which showcases Harold's life and work.
Visitors at the free event will also have the chance to meet Harold and view some of his artwork. To find out more, click here.