More businesses backing Larkin Toads

Over 25 organisations now signed up to support major visitor attraction.  Hull’s three shopping centres join growing list of sponsors...will you?

Larkin25 Programme Director Emily Penn with the three shopping centre managers and their selected designs (left to right) Mike Killoran – Princes Quay, Pete Barber – Prospect Centre and Jim Harris – St Stephen’s

 

Following the recent presentation to the One Hull Business Forum, Larkin25 has been talking to more businesses about sponsoring their landmark ‘Larkin with Toads’ project.

Now Hull’s three main shopping centres have become the latest local businesses to sponsor artist designed giant toads in an initiative to attract thousands of extra visitors to the city as part of Larkin25 – a 25 week long season of high quality cultural events, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of poet Philip Larkin, which will run between June and December.

Larkin with Toads is based on similarly successful mass participation public art events in London, Liverpool, Manchester and Norwich which have seen spending in stores rise by up to 20% and visitors boosting local economies by millions of pounds. It is inspired by Larkin’s poems Toads and Toads Revisited.

Larkin25 programme director Emily Penn said: “It’s really great to have Hull’s three anchor shopping centres signed up for this exciting project. We all appreciate that these are tough economic times, but businesses are expressing that this is precisely why an innovative way of attracting visitors to the city is more important than ever. “

Public can put names on ‘The Hidden Toad’ designed as a puzzle by artist Sasha Heath

 

Princes Quay Shopping Centre was the first sponsor to be announced at the launch of the Larkin with Toads project and they have now selected the design of their toad from around 60 submitted by artists from across the country. Centre manager Mike Killoran has chosen Larkin Toad by Frances Kelly. He said: “We thought that a toad that looked like Larkin was not only a bit of fun, but helps make the link with the whole project.

“We not only hope that people will get to appreciate that the nation’s favourite poet lived in and was inspired by Hull, but also that the whole project will bring more visitors into the city. I would encourage more stores and businesses get behind this and make it a huge success.”

The Prospect Centre has selected Kiss me Quick by Stephen McKay – a white toad covered in big red lipstick kisses. Manager Pete Barber explained: “We have a lot of beauty related stores in the centre and I think it will make people stop and stare, and hopefully put a smile on their faces.

“From a practical point of view I’m also hoping it will bring in more visitors as people follow the trail of toads across the city during the summer. And of course I do expect it to turn into a beautiful princess when kissed!”

Last but not least, the final shopping centre to complete the trio of toad sponsors announced today is St Stephen’s. They have looked to unite the city through a design inspired by Hull’s two Superleague rugby teams, with Eastwest by Sarah Daniels. Half the toad is decorated with red and white stripes, the other in black and white, with a ‘river’ running down the middle and the silhouette of two rugby players on its back.

St Stephen’s manager Jim Harris explained: “We thought this was a great way of capturing the spirit of the city and its love for rugby, despite the passionate rivalry. It’s great to remember that we still have much to celebrate in sport with two hugely successful Superleague teams in the city that remain at the heart of their communities.

“When you see the huge success of similar art projects in places like Liverpool and Norwich, I think it’s great for Hull to be doing something imaginative that shows we can also be in the ‘super league’ of city shopping destinations.”

Larkin25 organisers say they have now secured in excess of 20 sponsors who are in the process of selecting from the submitted artists designs, or looking to work with community groups, while a few others are working on their own designs for consideration. They will all be announced in the next few weeks as the selection of designs is finalised.

Emily Penn added: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response we’re receiving for the project from all sorts of organisations right across Hull and East Yorkshire. But we would like to hear from more local businesses. Everyone is very enthusiastic to help and get involved, with some organisations collaborating to share the cost of sponsoring a toad.”

The cost of sponsorship is £2,750 + VAT. At the end of the event the toads will be auctioned off to raise money for charity, with the opportunity for sponsors to pay a reserve to keep their toads.

Individuals can also get their name on a toad

Larkin25 say they are responding to public interest following a growing number of enquiries from individual members of the public. Now one of the artists submitting designs for ‘Larkin with Toads’ has agreed to add the names of members of the public supporting the project.

The selected design is The Hidden Toad by artist Sasha Heath. For a donation of just £25 people can support Larkin25 and have their name, or someone they nominate, incorporated within the intricate ‘puzzle’ design, with hundreds of toads making up one giant toad.

Sasha  said: “Where’s Wally was one of my favourite children’s books, I loved searching through all the detail to find the hidden character, and that is exactly what I plan to do with my toad sculpture. A sort of puzzle toad game with a hidden king toad wearing a crown. The names will add an exciting extra dimension to this concept.”

Local organisations wanting to learn more about corporate sponsorship or members of the public interested in putting a name on The Hidden Toad can get more information by visiting the web site at www.Larkin25.co.uk  where there is also a gallery of toad designs, emailing Clare.Huby@vhey.co.uk  or by calling the Larkin25 office on (01482) 486540.

The scheme is being delivered by local organisations Artlink and Creative Partnerships (Hull College Group). The master design is by Chris Wilkinson of Wild in Art. Larkin25 is a partnership programme led by Hull City Council, the University of Hull, Visit Hull and East Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Philip Larkin Society.