Campaign to keep the Commonwealth Games King Kong in Birmingham launches

Birmingham is no stranger to giant statues of animals and Brummies love having these iconic emblems around the town. After the success of a campaign that lead to keeping the Brummie Bull in Birmingham for longer than expected, a latest bid wants to do the same for King Kong.

A King Kong pop up park was set up by Cordia Blackswan on Great Hampton Row. It opened to the public on July 22 and was expected to remain for the duration of the Commonwealth Games 2022. Managing Director of Cordia Blackswan, Marcus Hawley, was the brain behind bringing Kong back to Birmingham.

However, the Games have come and gone, but Brummies want more of the giant gorilla and a petition has been launched to keep him in the city.

This is not the first time Brummies have campaigned to keep King Kong in Birmingham. In the 1970s, a giant King Kong statue created by artist Nicholas Monro was set up in the city. It used to be in Manzoni Gardens in The Bull Ring, but was taken away after about six months.

The new campaign to keep the new statue, based on the old one, and fifty years later.

There are already 176 signatures on the petition seeking a total of 200. The petition was started by one Alys Wilding who wrote: “King Kong Park has returned the iconic statue to it’s rightful place! It has been an enormous asset to the city for the past few weeks - hugely successful and a really family friendly attraction. Sign the petition and help us keep this wonderful facility and Kong!!”

The current 7m tall giant statue is an homage to the King Kong comics - which may have originated in the US but captured the interest of the world. From Birmingham to Tokyo, the giant gorilla is loved everywhere.

Nicholas was too unwell to help in recreating the new one but his family gave their blessing and were happy to be part of the process.

In July, Nicholas’ son, Joe told BirminghamWorld: “I really hope Birmingham embraces Kong.” And, Birmingham has done exactly that.

The artist’s other son, George, had said: “My dad was always making crazy sculptures. They were always around us... Our family is immensely proud.”

You can sign the petition here.

For more information, please visit the King Kong Park page or follow King Kong on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

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