Iconic artist ‘has given our city a real pick-me-up’
TRADERS SAY IT WILL HELP TO HIGHLIGHT THEIR AREA
BUSINESS owners close to a new piece of street art in Nottingham that has been confirmed as a Banksy have spoken of the boost it will bring to the area.
On Saturday, the anonymous street artist posted a picture on Instagram of the “hula-hooping girl” behind a battered bike that has been the talk of the city since it was first reported on Thursday.
As this is the usual way to confirm a Banksy original, excited crowds built up near the wall in Rothesay Avenue, Lenton, off Ilkeston Road, on which the street art was created.
The road is largely an area of student housing, and some businesses say the work has “highlighted” the area.
Some proprietors even think they may have seen the work being created.
The Bowl shop, which specialises in Afro-caribbean food, is just a few metres from the Banksy.
Owner Claudette Mitchell said she thought she spotted some people at the scene on Monday evening when she was putting out rubbish.
She said: “I also noticed the bike and thought ‘who has put that there?’
“Then the art was there the next day and I did think could it be?
Asked what she thought of the work, she said: “It’s good for the wall! It’s nice to choose here, not in the city. There was no one around, no CCTV.
“We’ve got so many problems here in Nottingham and the students are locked down. It definitely makes a change to the news!”
Assistant Ruby Oliver spoke about how much history this part of Nottingham has, noting the link between the bicycle and the proximity to the former Raleigh factory.
She said: “It highlights the area - it’s been quiet over the years with lots of businesses gone - Players, Raleigh and JB Armstrong across the road.”
Deepak Kashyap is the owner of the post office opposite the new Banksy, where the pavement was overflowing on Saturday with people taking pictures and discussing their theories on the work.
He said: “It probably happened at night when we were closed, so I didn’t see anything. Why he didn’t he choose my wall I don’t know - it’s drier and cleaner!
“But I’m glad for Nottingham it’s been confirmed an authentic Banksy.”
Referring to incidents in which vandals twice spray-painted a perspex screen placed by Nottingham City Council over the mural, he added: “It’s a shame vandals tried to ruin it doesn’t speak much for people in this day and age with Covid as it is.
“But, yes, this definitely picks people up. It’s a lovely area of nice people and there is good light for everyone taking pictures. We are already a very busy post office but I hope it will bring more people in too.”
Surinder Kaur, 42, who runs the beauty salon next to the artwork, said the bike had appeared at the same time as the mural. She added: “Unfortunately I don’t own the property, I am renting. He brought the bike with him – there is one tyre on the bike and the other is in the picture as the little girl’s hula hoop.”
Ms Kaur, who has only recently reopened following lockdown, said lots of people had been coming into her salon to ask about the mural, but she was not yet sure whether it would create a boost for her business.
She said: “Let’s see – I’m not sure about anything right now.”
Business owner Lewis North, 28, lives on the other side of Ilkeston Road to where the work is. He said: “I think it’s amazing - but unfortunate it got defaced. This kind of activity brings people together.
“I’ve been trying to understand what the relation is to the pandemic.
“He’s always got a message. Apparently he went into the shop up the road to get a Ribena - we also don’t think the bike was there before.”
Why he didn’t choose my wall, I don’t know – it’s drier and cleaner! Post office owner Deepak Kashyap