Fans hit back at claims controversial Tranmere mural ‘not appropriate’ for quiet village, now it could be removed due to the backlash from residents.
The football mural, showing the old crest of League One side Tranmere Rovers, has divided a Oxton village in the Wirral when it went up on the side of a building without planning permission.
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Many locals are reported to be outraged by the mural- saying it ‘lowered the tone’ of the conservation area, though many others are very happy with it.
Wirral Council did say they would contact the owner of the building – a cafe on Christchurch Road, to see if the mural was breaking planning rules.
They have no decided that the mural deemed to be an advertisement and the owner must either remove it or apply for retrospective planning consent.
In a newsletter to local constituents, Liberal Democrat Oxton councillor Allan Brame, said: “This mural clearly divides local opinion, but most people who have contacted me feel it is wholly out of keeping in our conservation area.”
This Tranmere mural has been painted on the side of a building in Oxton… #SWA #TRFC pic.twitter.com/T5MClD5ImW
— Chris Chambers (@CapitalChambo) January 17, 2020
The Lib Dem member for Oxton, continued: “It is regrettable that the owner did not consult the planning department and the local community before commissioning this painting.”
Not long after the artwork went up, one angry resident sent a letter to the person whose had the mural painted on the building.
The letter read: “You might own the building, but you don’t own the village.
“It’s a holy show, cheap tasteless, bullyish graffiti. Not everyone likes football, especially Tranmere.
“We will have a proper painter and decorator and paint over it.”
Defending the mural, the man told the ECHO: “We don’t want to offend anyone, we’ve used one of the best artists in Merseyside.
“He’s done 40 murals, he’s done some very tasteful [ones] and hopefully people will like it.”
Tranmere fans have since set up an online petition calling for Oxton to be renamed ‘Little Tranmere’, in recognition of the club’s role in the local community, it has had nearly 200 signatures at the time of writing.
Fans gave their reaction after seeing that the controversial Tranmere mural is deemed ‘not appropriate’ for quiet village of Oxton…
Should be one in every part of Birkenhead. The Wirral needs to be prouder of its identity and stuff like this goes a long way. Viva Los Blancos
— OhBirkenhead (@OhBirkenhead) January 17, 2020
Beautiful that, the badge of Birkenhead
— Rob Davies (@Robbiedaviesjnr) January 17, 2020
Absolutely stunning.
— Leon Kearney (@TheLeonKearney) January 17, 2020
could you imagine if it does get taken down, and then banksy goes and paints it again, wonder if they would be kicking up the same fuss?
— Peter Griffiths (@pwgriffo) January 17, 2020
Amazing
— TRFC (@TJRobbo42) January 17, 2020
It's…. its beautiful ?
— Belmont Boy (@BelmontBoy72) January 17, 2020
How sad and unnecessary. If it was a huge advert for season tickets then fair enough, but come on, it’s the Birkenhead coat of arms. No need for the town to destroy itself with petty squabble. Best tell Banksy not to come to Birkenhead then.
— Southern SWA (@SouthernSWA1) February 18, 2020
There should be a megaphone next to on the wall piping out ‘Super White Army’ non stop to the woke villagers imo.
— Paul Hiton (@PaulHiton) January 18, 2020
Can we keep the mural… and just remove the people instead?
— kate (@kat_van_citybc) February 18, 2020
It will be embarrassing if the mural gets removed. It’s the crest of Birkenhead painted in the town itself by a renowned artist. If this would have been done anywhere else I don’t think it would have been an issue. Which I guess is an issue in itself.
— Caoimhe O'Neill (@CaoimheSport) February 18, 2020
Could understand the moaning if it was a tasteless,unsightly mess but that is a well executed piece of art depicting what is basically the towns crest.
Uppity locals need to remember they still live in the middle of birkenhead.— injury dave (@davegordon80) January 17, 2020
Lucky people of Oxton , looks stunning
— Mike Watson (@Rovers1963) January 17, 2020
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