Pen sculpture planned in city to celebrate literary heritage

The Nib would be a focal point for the Writers' Pavement feature

Plans have been unveiled for a sculpture in Leicester city centre that is seeking to celebrate the area's literary heritage.

If approved, The Nib would be a centrepiece for the Writers' Pavement feature in New Walk.

The pavement was funded and installed in 2020 by the Friends of New Walk charitable trust to celebrate late authors with links to Leicestershire, from Geoffrey Chaucer to Joe Orton.

The group has commissioned sculptor John Sydney Carter, who designed Concerto outside De Montfort Hall and the Enderby Shield at Everards Meadows, to design The Nib.

It is hoped the artwork will inspire people to put to paper

It is hoped the 4.87m tall sculpture will be a vertical feature that draws attention to the existing tribute to local authors, as well as sit alongside their previously commissioned New Walk sculptures The Clicker, which celebrates the city’s footwear industry, and The Clothier, inspired by the fabric trade in Leicester.

The sculpture would be placed in New Walk, in the city centre

In a planning statement, Mr Carter said: "Just as the mind of the author hovers above a blank sheet of paper at the beginning, or the end, of their work, so will The Nib hover above the names of past local notable authors etched into the pavement plaques.

"Doubtless every author wishes their name to be recognised, but The Nib reminds the viewer of the starting point and tools of every author's journey.

"Ideally, The Nib will encourage passers-by to discover the authors of Leicester and Leicestershire for themselves and inspire a new generation of authors to begin their own journeys and put pen to paper."

Leicester City Council will consider the application in due course.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.