New addition to Ipswich 'Big Hoot' sculpture trail
This year's sculture trail isn't elephants or pigs... it's owls!
There's going to be a new addition to a sculpture trail planned around Ipswich later this year.
'The Big Hoot' will see 50 large owl statues painted up and place around the town in a bid to increase tourism. 60 'little hoot' statues will be decorated by local community groups and schools.
As part of the project, 40 of the smaller statues are now going to be placed in shop windows to try to attract trade.
Ipswich Borough Council has written to 63 independent businesses who recieved covid support grants of ÂŁ7,000 to offer them the chance to take part.
Councillor Sarah Barber, Portfolio Holder for the Town Centre at Ipswich Borough Council says:
“I’m delighted we are working with St Elizabeth Hospice to ensure our local independent retailers have the opportunity to benefit from the footfall powers of these sculpture trails.
"I’m sure the Little Hoots will create excitement across the town centre and that this will be a great new element to the trail to help the Hoots beat the Elmers and the Pigs in terms of popularity.”
Cathy Frost, owner of LoveOne on St Peters Street says:
“I was fortunate to host both a little Elmer and a small Pig and know the positive impact that they had on footfall to my shop in 2016 and 2019.
"I’m really excited that we will have so many more independent retailers involved this time - and I congratulate the Council and the Hospice for this new initiative. I’d certainly recommend this project to other retailers.”
'The Big Hoot' is just the latest sculture trail to come to Ipswich, after Pigs Gone Wild in 2016 and Elmer’s Big Parade in 2019.
The new trail will launch this summer.