Wedgwood statue has been rebuilt - council leader

The Josiah Wedgwood sculpture (pictured before it was demolished) had been in Festival Park since 2009

A statue that caused outrage in Stoke-on-Trent when it was demolished during construction of a new road has now been rebuilt, according to a council leader.

The Capo sculpture, depicting Burslem-born potter and entrepreneur Josiah Wedgwood, had stood in Festival Park in Hanley since 2009.

It was reduced to rubble in 2023 during works to expand the Marina Way roundabout.

The episode forced Stoke-on-Trent City Council's former deputy leader Daniel Jellyman to resign after an email emerged, in which he gave the go-ahead for its destruction, saying "nothing lasts forever".

The statue had cost less than £30,000 to rebuild, according to council leader Jane Ashworth, but she did not give a precise figure.

She said a new location for the statue had yet to be decided, as its former home had been built over by the expanded road.

She said the bricks had been made "locally as far as possible", adding: The colour is about right. The question now is exactly where it is going to be put."

Commenting on the authorisation for its demolition, Ashworth said: "Decisions were made in a way that was not appropriate."

The statue was reduced to a pile of bricks in February 2023

She added that there would also be an update later this week on details of another statue expected to be unveiled in the city.

Asked if that was a statue of former Motorhead frontman Lemmy, she replied "maybe".

She said it was for the owners and investors to share more information.

Plans for the Lemmy statue were approved in February last year.