The South Ayrshire Council has approved spending more than £30,000 to relocate the iconic Poet and Scholar sculpture from Ayr High Street to Rozelle Park due to significant damage caused by spilled food and beverages. The sculpture, created by artist Doug Cocker in 1995, has suffered extensive corrosion damage that threatens its long-term preservation.
During a South Ayrshire Council Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Leader Alec Clark raised concerns about the substantial cost of the relocation project. "I don't know if there's any flexibility in that. I think some people will maybe baulk a little at the figure of £30,911," Clark stated. While he expressed support for relocating the artwork, he questioned whether such a large sum was necessary for moving the sculpture to its new location.
Assistant Director of Communities George Hunter provided detailed background information about the decision to move the sculpture. He explained that the artwork's current location creates a bottleneck near Hope Street and the Grain Exchange, and relocating it would improve the overall public space environment. More critically, a comprehensive condition survey revealed serious deterioration issues directly related to the sculpture's placement on the busy High Street.
The condition assessment uncovered alarming damage to the artwork's surface and structure. "Sticky residue is present on much of the surface, possibly from tree sap or spilled drinks. The sculpture's busy location suggests that it is often used as a surface for food and beverages," Hunter reported to the council members. This residue has created a detrimental effect on the metal surface, with the corrosive substances penetrating through scratches in the surface patina to reach the bare bronze underneath.
Additional environmental factors have accelerated the sculpture's deterioration. The lack of proper drainage in its current location has led to further corrosion beneath the surface, creating compound damage that will only worsen over time. Hunter emphasized that leaving the sculpture in its present position would result in continued decline and potential irreversible damage to the artistic work.
The council's neighborhood services team provided the cost estimate for the complex relocation project. Hunter defended the £30,911 price tag, stating that the figure represents competitive costs for what he described as "not an inconsiderable undertaking." The comprehensive project includes carefully removing the sculpture from its current location, transporting it to Rozelle Park, installing it in the new setting, and conducting necessary repairs to address existing defects.
Hunter concluded his presentation by emphasizing the long-term benefits of the relocation. Moving the sculpture to Rozelle Park will provide a safer environment that makes better use of the artwork while protecting it from further damage. "I am content that it represents good value for money," he told the council members, supporting the investment as necessary for preserving this important piece of public art for future generations.
