Brunner and Mond statues to move to Northwich town centre

Tata Chemicals Europe applied for permission to remove and relocate the grade-II listed statues of Sir John Brunner and Ludwig Mond from 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.

An artist's impression of how the statues could look

An artist's impression of how the statues could look

The proposed site for relocation is Parr’s Bank in the town centre.

A design an access statement submitted on behalf of Tata Chemicals said: “The council proposes to allocate the site of the Winnington Works for mixed use development.

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“If left in situ, the statues would lose their industrial context and their visual, historical and associational links to the works which were established by Brunner and Mond.

“Retaining the statues in their current location would result in them being within a setting which does not contribute to their significance and appreciation of the contribution that Brunner and Mond made to both the town of Northwich and the chemical industry.”

Parr's Bank

The proposed Parr's Bank site

Cheshire West and Chester Council approved the plans earlier this month.

In the case officer’s report, he said: “There are significant public benefits associated with the re-siting. 

“There would still be strong historical association for the statues in the relocated position, both in terms of links to Northwich, but also the nearby bank, which is itself relevant to the subjects of the statues.

“Significantly, the re-siting provides greater opportunity for a wider public appreciation of the statues, as the existing site is not accessible publicly.”