Work will start this weekend on a new Leeds United mural which is set to give Pudsey Market Place a much-needed boost.
The mural will be painted onto the back wall of the former Junction public house and will be based on three images of Jack Charlton lifting the FA Cup, with Norman Hunter to his left and Trevor Cherry on the right.
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust yesterday tweeted that work would start on the mural over the late May Bank Holiday weekend.
After six long months of planning approvals, we’re excited to announce that this weekend work begins on the Pudsey Market mural – designed and painted by the amazing @NicolasDixonart – no spoilers please locals – watch this space 🤣 pic.twitter.com/OJmQdY2xUX
— LUFC Trust (@lufctrust) May 26, 2021
Farsley artist Nicholas Dixon will be carrying out work on the mural, which was approved by council planners last month. Planners said the mural, which is in a conservation area, could be displayed up to 1 December 2023, when it should be removed and the wall returned to its original condition.
14 people objected to the mural, with concerns over the football theme of the artwork, the colours proposed and the mural being inappropriate in relation to Pudsey Market and Pudsey Conservation Area. 36 letters of support were also received, along with four general comments.
As first reported in December, Mr Dixon said in a design statement accompanying the application that he has the support of local businesses and stallholders. He added:
“Depending on funding, I would like to incorporate the stalls of the market which could have the design from the mural vinyl wrapped onto sections of the market stalls with facts and figures of the players and the club.
“We could even name the stalls after the stands at Elland Road which include the Revie Stand, The Norman Hunter stand East & West stands, this would encourage people who come to visit and take pics of the mural to engage with the market and the stall holders and in turn bring fresh custom to the market.
“My vision is to bring all this to Pudsey market and give it a much-needed boost in these trying times and what better way to do it by honouring these true legends of Leeds United.”
As previously reported by WLD, the proposals sparked a debate when they were submitted in December, with hundreds of comments posted on social media platforms.
A poll on Pudsey Born and Bred Facebook page saw more than 1,200 votes cast. Slightly more people were in favour of a Leeds United mural, with others saying they’d like a mural but on a different topic to football. Just 52 voted for no mural at all.
Artist Nicholas Dixon recently completed the popular Bielsa the Redeemer mural dedicated to Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa in Wortley. All three players on the proposed Pudsey mural passed away last year.
In a design statement accompanying the original planning application, Mr Dixon said he has the support of local businesses and stallholders, and that the proposals would lift the area and give Pudsey Market a much-needed boost.
The mural is backed by the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, which is providing part of the funding, along with the Leeds United Supporters Club of Scandinavia and local businesses Avanta Care and Barker Harding.
Last month a 20ft Leeds United Supporters’ Trust mural remembering club legend Gary Speed was unveiled in Bramley. Donations to future Leeds United murals can be made here.