Missing Mander Centre sculpture to return

It's the £4 million sculpture that has caused political wrangling, an online campaign and thousands of name on a petition - but the Rock Form saga finally seems to be at an end.

Council bosses in Wolverhampton have announced that the sculpture will return to the Mander Centre following the complex's £30m redevelopment.

Until then, it will take pride of place in the city's art gallery for all to enjoy.

Fears had grown in recent months that the Barbara Hepworth piece, donated to the Mander Centre some 46 years ago, would be sold off by owners the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

A similar sculpture recently fetched as much as £5m.

The online campaign attracted almost 3,000 signatures and the issue even went as high as Chancellor George Osborne, who was sent an SOS letter by council leader Roger Lawrence calling for it to return fearing an 'asset strip'.

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Turner Prize-winning sculptor Sir Antony Gormley also backed the campaign.

RBS initially only committed to returning the sculpture to Wolverhampton, but it has now been confirmed that it will return to the Mander Centre following talks between the firm and the council.

Councillor Lawrence spoke of his delight at the announcement.

He said: "Rock Form is a fantastic piece of modern art. It's had a huge connection to our city for nearly half-a-century and its presence is something Wulfrunians are immensely proud of.

"The base of the sculpture contains a time capsule containing items donated by Wolverhampton children and businesses - again symbolising its strong links to the city.

"I thank the local community campaigners who have pressed for the sculpture's return, their efforts have demonstrated what Rock Form means to local people and they have had a major influence on this positive outcome.

"I'm really pleased that we have been able to persuade RBS to return the sculpture to public display and hopefully Wolverhampton people will be able to enjoy it for decades to come.

"The sculpture, which was removed from the Mander Centre this summer after 46 years, will have a new, temporary home in the city's art gallery. It will then return to the Mander Centre once its major refurbishment is complete in two/three years time."

The bronze 9ft sculpture by Hepworth is one of only six of its kind in the country and was removed from its normal position on the ground floor earlier this year as part of the multi-million pound redevelopment of the centre.

Wolverhampton MP Paul Uppal had also campaigned for its return, even speaking about the issue in Parliament.

He said: "RBS phoned me on Monday to confirm that the sculpture will be returning to Wolverhampton, firstly to the art gallery whilst refurbishments are completed, and then to its home at the centre of the Mander Centre.

"Over the last 46 years, Rock Form has become a Wolverhampton icon and I am glad it is being returned to its rightful place at the heart of the city - future generations will now be able to enjoy and cherish this important piece of British sculpture.

"I made a passionate plea that Barbara Hepworth's Rock Form was not for sale - it belongs to, and should be enjoyed by, the city of Wolverhampton.

"In light of this, I commend RBS for making the right decision, this saga has been deeply worrying and I am relieved we have reached a positive outcome.

"I do note however that as Rock Form will be loaned back to Wolverhampton, I will be seeking clarification from RBS in the coming days to ascertain the terms of the loan and what effect the sale of the Mander Centre will have on ownership of the sculpture.

"Now we have secured the return of the sculpture we need to ensure it remains in Wolverhampton."

The current redevelopment of the shopping centre includes the creation of a new Debenhams store that is expected to create at least 120 new jobs.