Wolverhampton Mander Centre in line to lose £4m statue
The iconic Barbara Hepworth sculpture that vanished from Wolverhampton's Mander Centre may never return home on a permanent basis, it has emerged.
Rock Form was a focal point of the centre's ground floor for more than 45 years until it was removed by owners RBS ahead of a £25 million redevelopment project.
The bronze sculpture has not been seen since, but last year RBS confirmed that it would go on display in the city's Art Gallery during the centre's revamp.
Now bosses at the Mander Centre's new owners, Benson Elliot, say that is where it could stay.
Peter Cornforth, head of retail at Benson Elliot, said that although they would welcome the return of the sculpture, it may not be best suited to the centre's retail focus.
"We would love to have the statue back once the work is complete, but I would ask whether a shopping centre is the right place for this rare piece of art?" he said.
"Retailers market this location for shopping purposes. It may be that there are better places in the city for the sculpture."
Mr Cornforth said discussions would take place between centre bosses, RBS, Wolverhampton City Council and the Art Gallery before any decision is made.
He added that an agreement was in place with RBS for the sculpture to return to the Mander Centre on a temporary basis once the revamp is complete.
"At the moment this is open for discussion," he said. "There's a long way to go before the work on the centre is complete, which gives us time to work out what is the best place for the sculpture.
"RBS have said we can have it back on display as a temporary measure if we decide that is the best way forward."
The 9ft sculpture by Hepworth is one of only six of its kind in the country and is thought to be worth around £4 million.
It was donated by the Mander family in 1968.
Its removal from the centre last summer led to political wrangling and an online campaign featuring almost 3,000 signatures demanding its return.
Fears had been raised that RBS could sell off Rock Form, although the firm confirmed in October that the asset would return to the city.
Work is due to start on a complete overhaul of the Mander Centre early in 2017, featuring a new Debenhams store and a complete revamp of shop units and walkways.
