Latest: Our work on statues of Sir Robert Clayton and Thomas Guy

Update

We have a new statues webpage. Read about the conservation work on statues of two of our benefactors, and our work to better understand and contextualise their histories.

De-hoarding the statues

The temporary hoarding around the statues of Sir Robert Clayton and Thomas Guy is being removed from 4 November to enable surveying for conservation and design work to be carried out. This is in advance of permanent interpretation being installed in line with recommendations from an independent public consultation on the future of the two statues.

In our role as custodians of the statues, we are legally required to undertake this conservation planning and work given the statues’ listed status. While this work is conducted, temporary interpretation will be in place.

The first step is an expert assessment of the statues to determine the extent of the conservation needed. This includes assessing deterioration to the statues’ stonework from weather, planning cleaning and protection of metal elements. The assessment process will take approximately eight weeks.

The outputs from the assessments form an important part of a planning application that will be submitted at the end of the year to secure permission from Southwark and Lambeth Councils to carry out both the conservation work, and install permanent interpretation at both statues.

The intention is to submit the planning applications for this in December 2022 and, subject to approval, to be in a position to install the final interpretation in 2023.

Find out more about more about our work on interpretation, previous consultation on statues and arts legacy.