Statue of slave trader Edward Colston set to be removed from public display at the M Shed

There are just a few days left to see the exhibition if you haven’t already
Sophie Wills
By Sophie Wills
Published 29th Dec 2021, 16:26 BST
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The statue of slave trader Edward Colston, which was pulled from its plinth by protestors in Bristol, is set to be removed from public display and put into storage.

The statue of slave merchant Edward Colston on display in the M Shed. The statue of slave merchant Edward Colston on display in the M Shed.
The statue of slave merchant Edward Colston on display in the M Shed.

The statue was rolled into the harbour during a Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol in June 2020.

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Bristol City Council workers retrieved the statue and it has been on display in the city’s M Shed museum since this summer.

But it will be removed from the first floor of the museum and put into storage on January 3.

Four people are currently on trial accused of criminal damage in connection with the toppling of the statue, after pleading not guilty.

A spokesperson for the M Shed said: “The current Colston statue display will finish on Monday.

The controversial bronze statue of 17th Century slave merchant Edward Colston was graffitied and pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. The controversial bronze statue of 17th Century slave merchant Edward Colston was graffitied and pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.
The controversial bronze statue of 17th Century slave merchant Edward Colston was graffitied and pulled down during a Black Lives Matter protest in 2020.

“Please pre-book a time slot if you would like to visit.

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“In January, the statue will be moved to our stores in L Shed.

“You can visit L Shed by booking one of our free behind the scenes tours.”

The statue - with spray paint still intact - is lying in front of a window with a view of the harbour.

The L Shed contains collections no longer on display.

Related topics:BristolBlack Lives Matter

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