Statue of slave trader might be moved to Bristol museum
The statue of Edward Colston was pulled down during a protest in 2020
Plans to formally move a statue of slave trader Edward Colston into a museum display have been submitted for approval.
It comes after a recent survey of Bristolians, conducted by the We Are Bristol History Commission found that 80% of people would want to see the statue moved to a museum.
The Grade II listed statue was first pulled down in 2020, during a protest in Bristol, and was temporarily displayed in the city's M Shed Museum.
According to the plans, the Grade II listed plinth would remain on Colston Avenue and a new plaque is also proposed.
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: " I remain in support of the view that the best place for the statue is in a museum where its context, and that of what it represents to many communities can be appropriately shared with diverse audiences".
Professor Tim Cole, who chaired the We Are Bristol History Commission, and was one of the academics to produce the report, said "“One of our areas of work through the commission was to facilitate a city-wide conversation about what should happen next with the Edward Colston statue. What was clear though, despite the many different views shared, was an overwhelming sense that people saw the museum as being the best place for the statue and I am pleased to see the council acting on this recommendation.”
If approved, then the statue would feature at the M Shed from Spring 2024, in an exhibit themed on "protest".