home

Send to a friend

Bring Back King Kong!

As the Birmingham Wheel's being packed off to Australia, The Big Brum Breakfast have started a campaign to bring back one of the city's former landmarks - King Kong.

The giant statue of King Kong used to stand proud next to the old Bullring Shopping Centre, before being shipped off to Ingliston Market in Edinburgh, his home for more than thirty years. Now that the market has closed, he's looking for a new home - and we reckon he should make his way back to Brum!

<< Here's a picture of King Kong with our very own Pete Bates back in 1976! (Pete's in the white vest).

Update - 7th September
The owners of King Kong have told us that we could have him back - but that the council will have to agree somewhere to put him first.


Update - 11th September
John from Citroen phoned to offer his show room as a place to put King Kong! All Elliott and Caroline need now is an update from the council!


We've tracked down some pictures of the 22ft-high gorilla in both Brum, Edinburgh and also following his pink make-over...

If you'd like to join our campaign, drop us a line using the form below, telling us why you think King Kong should return to Birmingham and suggest where he might be put.

 

Here's some of the messages of support we've had so far...

I say he should be standing proud in the park of the proposed East Side development. After all - he was in Manzoni gardens in the old Bull Ring so why not bring him back to his roots? Or - if he does stay pink - why not put him in the Gay quarter in Hurst St. They would take care of him for sure. 
Debbie

Yes, I think we should have King Kong take the place of the wheel because at least we will have something in place of it instead of it being a empty space.
Dan

I think King Kong should be put on top of AMC or Cineworld cinemas.
Michelle

Bring him home! Surely there'd be space in Cannon Hill Park for the King!
Chris

I think he should be bought back because I remember him when I was a child and know my twelve year old son would think it was great! We would go into town every Saturday shopping and go and have a look at him. I suppose he could go where the Birmingham wheel was.
Michelle

I remember him from when I was young. We had a Great Dane called Zoe who hated him and used to stand barking at it. I think they should put him where the wheel used to be.
Andrea

I remember King Kong and the old flyover, it would be just great to bring him back. 
Alex

Bring back King Kong we can use him to ward of all those mother in laws! We could either put him on Centenary Square, Brindleyplace or even on the top of BRMB!
Nige

Bring him back! I think he should be put next to the Bullring bull.
Louise

Please bring King Kong back to Birmingham. I can remember when he first arrived although I never got to visit. I was 14 then and it was quite an event. Birmingham is his home.
Karim

Click here for the Big Brum Breakfast homepage>>