A NORTHWICH man wants one of the town's most unheralded home grown stars to be recognised and celebrated.

Tom Barrow said the fact Rupert Holmes, the writer and singer of the world famous Piña Colada song, was born in Northwich was pretty much unknown to most, but is something the town should try and use to its advantage.

Holmes, real name David Goldstein was born in Northwich in 1947, but the family moved to live in America when he was six, with his father Leonard a US Army Warrant Officer and bandleader.

He is actually a multi-talented artist, and as well as "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" which was a number one in the US and Canada, Holmes has won two Tony Awards for his musical Drood as well writing stage plays and books.

Tom said: "During lockdown I did so many quizzes with friends.

"We came up with an idea of each coming up with a round and I was given Northwich as a category.

"I was researching notable people from the town and Rupert Holmes came up, and I thought, 'no he can't be'.

"But it's actually true, his mother was from the area and met an American GI during the war and they left Northwich when he was six, so its kind of just been forgotten about."

Northwich Guardian:

Tom Barrow came up with the idea after finding out Rupert Holmes was born in Northwich when researching a lockdown quiz.

Tom, who works as a Digital Learning Designer, wants to use his creative talents to bring some fun to the town, and thinks a Piña Colada festival could be one such way to celebrate one its most unique and unknown stars.

He added: "We've had a tough couple of years in Northwich, with the market burning down, the floods, so it just got me thinking about bringing something fun to the town.

"It's such a well known song and although people might not actually know Rupert Holmes himself, they will certainly know the song, and who doesn't like a Piña Colada?

"It seems like such a great opportunity and so many places you can go with it.

"You could have a statue, a Piña Colada festival, a fountain and I think it could be one of those things that could be great for the town.

"It could have the potential to galvanise bars, pubs and restaurants around, especially when you think of how rough they've had it over the last year.

"I just think it could be something unique to bring the people of the town together.

"Plus it's also something no other town could lay claim to, so we should celebrate it really."

Tom thinks the town has so much potential and because it is always looking to be unique and stand out from the crowd, the possibilities of celebrating its links to the song and its creator could be endless.

"There could an interactive art installation relating to the song, such as using large cocktail umbrella's or you could have a lyric walkway.

"But a Piña Colada festival every summer would be a great way of getting all the pubs and restaurants behind it and it could be built upon year after year."

Cllr Sam Naylor said he was very interested in trying to take the quirky idea forward and was hoping to discuss it with Northwich BID and the Town Council, with the new al fresco event space currently being built on the site of the old outdoor market being a perfect location.

He said: "It would be great if we could look into holding the likes of a Piña Colada festival by the summer.

"Obviously the new site would be finished by then so it could be a great place to hold it.

"You've got all those cafes and businesses around there, such as Vinnies, Abda and The Salty Dog.

"That's the type of event we want on that site and when restrictions are lifted, people will definitely need something to look forward to."