Express & Star

Wolves in Wolverhampton: Planned number of sculptures halved as costs soar

Plans for 40 giant wolf sculptures on the streets of Wolverhampton have been scaled down by more than half due to costs.

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Up to 40 of the 6ft 'Wolves in Wolves' sculptures were due to be unveiled around the city next year, but bosses today revealed the numbers are now likely to be between 15 and 20.

The city centre-based attraction will be launched next May.

The news came as the latest image of how the sculptures will look was revealed. It is hoped the project could bring £7 million and 100,000 tourists to the city.

The plans were announced last year and have already been backed by presenter Suzi Perry and actress Frances Barber, who both come from the area.

Main exhibition organiser Dr Paul Darke said talks were due to be held with several businesses including Molinuex bosses and celebrities including One Direction's Liam Payne in the hope of securing funds.

It follows in the footsteps of the bears of Berlin and superlambananas in Liverpool, while Birmingham recently hosted its successful Big Hoot owl trail.

Dr Darke said: "It is being reduced due to cost and scale and strategic reasons. It is all very expensive, more than expected.

"The scale was deemed to be too much given the size and budget linked to size of the city and there is a desire for greater focus so people can see all sculptures within one manageable walk or cycle ride.

"It is still on schedule. It is going to be May.

"It is going to be nowhere near as big as The Big Hoot, we are much more of a town and are not receiving any local authority money, but it is all still going and is all being planned and developed," Dr Darke said.

Planned spots for the sculptures include the art gallery, Molineux Stadium and Dudley Street, while the Grand Theatre, St Peter's Church, Civic Hall, and the Express & Star are also in the running.

Mobile phone apps will also be developed to follow the trail, as well as more traditional printed maps.

The Wolves in Wolves project will cost £50,000 and organisers are confident all the funding will be in place before its summer launch.

"We are pretty confident of reaching that target through sponsorship and using our own money," he added.

Businesses wishing to contribute should contact 01902 762636.

Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Ian Brookfield said: "I am over the moon that the Wolves in Wolves project is going to happen. Whether it is 15 or 50 displays it really doesn't matter.

"It is all about equality and engaging local people which is absolutely brilliant."

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