Lowestoft: Work starts at site of former Banksy seagull mural

The seagull artwork appeared on the side of a privately-owned block of flats on Katwijk Way in Lowestoft in August 2021.

Painted as part of Banksy's Great British Spraycation the prominent artwork - featuring a seagull swooping down to steal some polystyrene chips from a skip below - was removed in two pieces by specialist workmen during two late night operations in April and May.

The two sections of the mural were lifted from the side of the building by a crane and taken away on a large low loader lorry.

The wall of a house is being rebuilt after a Banksy mural was removed. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Once the exterior brickwork, on which the mural was painted, had been removed all that remained was a gaping hole in the side of the building at the corner of Denmark Road and Katwijk Way in Lowestoft.

It is unclear where the artwork on the building - which is in private ownership with East Suffolk Council having no control over its destiny - was taken to after being removed.

The Banksy seagull artwork, prior to removal. (Image: Danielle Booden)

But its disappearance to a new nest in an unknown location sparked sadness and anger in the town.

Garry Freeman, of building firm Freeman Brickworks - which carried out the structural removal - said last month that the mural had gone into storage, "somewhere in the UK", but could not confirm whether it would be sold or included in any exhibitions.

In April, prominent modern art dealer John Brandler described the removal of Banksy's seagull installation as a real shame for Lowestoft - admitting: "It has to be worth seven figures - between £1m to £3m."

The wall of a house is being rebuilt after a Banksy mural was removed. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Now, new images captured this week show the wall of the property being replaced with repairs under way at the scene.