'It's a shame': 'Landmark' horse sculpture to leave Leeds after 50 years outside Lloyds Bank offices
A “landmark” horse sculpture that has been a familiar site for thousands in Leeds for nearly 50 years has left the city.
The horse sculpture outside of the former Lloyds Banking Group headquarters on Lovell Park Road was seen being removed and taken away last Thursday morning (December 18).
The Yorkshire Evening Post has now discovered that the sculpture, which was created by Peter Tysoe in 1976, will not stay in the city.
Kevin Gairn, who works as a security guard at the Lovell Park site, said that contractors who were removing the statue informed those present that it was being taken to Chester.
He said: “It’s a shame to see the horse go but they are saying that there’s no space for it at the new Lloyds site at Wellington Place and they have no other main office.
“People are upset it’s leaving and are saying it should stay in Leeds. It’s a local landmark.
“People recognise it for Leeds and it’s a shame it’s not staying.
“It was a focal point for many. You would say ‘meet me at the horse statue’.”
Lloyds Banking Group was approached for a comment.
The sculpture was originally placed on Park Road outside of the bank’s former home before being moved to Lovell Park in 2016 and named ‘Cancara’ after the black stallion that starred in the Lloyds Bank adverts.