Brunner and Mond statues will move to Northwich town centre

Despite planning permission to move the statues of Sir John Brunner and Ludwig Mond to the town centre being granted more than a year ago, they remain at their current home at the Winnington Works.

As founders of the original Brunner Mond and Company, the pair built Winnington Works and first produced soda ash in the town in 1874.

The statues sit outside Mond House in Winnington Lane, but are not accessible to the public.

The plan is to move them to Pocket Park (formerly Parr’s Bank) opposite CRS Consultants Ltd - which back in Brunner and Mond’s day was Parr’s Bank, where the pair obtained their first loan which helped them create their chemical empire.

An artist's impression of what the statues would look like in their new home

Cllr Sam Naylor, who had been involved in the plan for several years said he had spoken to Sir Hugo Brunner, the great-grandson of Sir John.

“I had a telephone call with him recently,” said Cllr Naylor.

“He wanted to check up on what is happening with the re-location of the statues.

“He’s really desperate to get the two statues into the park.

“Once again, it comes down to finance and it’s going to be very expensive, despite only moving them a mile and a half.

“This is due to the statues being Grade II listed.

“But we are confident we will secure the funding.”

Pocket Park in Northwich

Cllr Naylor said the new location of the statues would create a great sight for visitors coming and going from the town centre.

“They’ll be illuminated,” he said.

“If you’re coming into the town passed Waitrose, when you look right and see them it will be really pleasing on the eye – particularly at night.

“It would be really nice to get Sir Hugo and his family along when we eventually get it done.

“He also asked me about the mayoral chains, which Sir John donated 125 years ago this month (June 1897).

“He’s still obviously incredibly proud of his family’s links to our great town.”