Lowestoft: Skip removed from prominent Banksy artwork

Having attracted countless visitors, a prominent component of the world-famous graffiti artist's seagull installation in Lowestoft has been removed - amid concerns it was being used for flytipping.

The Banksy seagull artworks before a protective screen was added. (Image: Danielle Booden)

With the artwork on the side of a privately-owned block of flats on Katwijk Way in Lowestoft created in August 2021, it showcased a seagull swooping down to steal some polystyrene chips that were placed in a skip below.

The yellow skip has now been removed from the side of the building.

Previously, a number of the yellow insulation boards - that were used to represent chips for the artwork - were removed from the skip in January last year by "an unknown third party."

The Banksy seagull artwork in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

Now, all that remains is the seagull mural and protective screening surrounded by metal fencing.

Having been created as part of Banksy's Great British Spraycation - at locations including Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Cromer - its removal in Lowestoft has sparked disappointment from locals, who said that "the installation has been robbed of its meaning and humour" by the "removal of the chip basket skip".

The Banksy mural in Lowestoft (Image: Mick Howes)

Concerns from locals had been raised last October, when onlookers said the property - not far away from the town centre - was being emptied.

Works - including chiselling at the wall - then started in December, with the skip recently removed.

The Banksy seagull mural in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

This week, an East Suffolk Council spokesman said: "The building at the corner of Denmark Road and Katwijk Way is in private ownership.

"East Suffolk Council understands that the skip component of the Bansky artwork has been removed from the side of the building in the interests of maintaining cleanliness by preventing the collection of discarded rubbish.

"The large seagull mural remains in place on the side of the building."

The Banksy mural in Lowestoft. (Image: Mick Howes)

The landlord - who did not want to be named - said: "East Suffolk Council complained about the mess and wanted to remove the barriers, the skip and the protective screening.

"We have it in storage.

"We have secured the protective screening and cleaned up the area."

Reaction

Lowestoft business owner, Hugh Davies, said the removal of the skip was "very disappointing."

The skip being removed from the Banksy seagull artwork in Lowestoft (Image: Hugh Davies)

He said: "The skip was undoubtedly beginning to be used for flytipping but I do find the response to remove the skip very disappointing. 

"We had - or rather did have - the humour of the seagull pinching chips.

"The removal of the skip has removed an essential part of the complete work and it is much the less for that.

"It is a shame that so much of Banksy’s Great Spraycation has been lost from Lowestoft in such a short space of time.

"The rat on the beach, the corrugated sheet boat in Oulton Broad, the selling off of the piece on London Road North and now the skip has gone.

"I feel that an opportunity has been lost to demonstrate how Lowestoft values diverse contributions to its local culture."