Golden Gladiator Statue Sparks Council Dispute

A Labour-led council has ruled that a nude golden gladiator statue amounts to "unlawful advertising". Grant Adamson, 60, who owns the antique shop where the statue is displayed, says the council has threatened him with a £2,500 fine unless it is removed.

The 20-foot statue, which stands in the car park of his Bulldog Forge antique shop in Ince, Wigan, was originally used to promote the Russell Crowe film Gladiator. Wigan Council claims it is "a criminal offence" to display an advertisement without permission, but Mr Adamson argues that the figure is not advertising anything.

He says the statue "brings smiles to people's faces", which is why he put it back up. He added that it is now part of a fundraising effort for a brain tumour charity. "I call it the Golden Man, but everyone seems to want to call it 'Golden Balls'. We're running a competition where visitors pay £1 to suggest a name, and we'll pick the winner on New Year's Eve."

Mr Adamson's brother-in-law has an incurable brain tumour, and he says the family is trying to raise money in his support. The gladiator figure had been displayed for about six months in 2022 before the council ordered its removal following complaints and concerns about planning consent. Mr Adamson complied and stored it away, but reinstated it on Nov 26 as part of the charity appeal.

A letter from the council dated Dec 3 stated that the statue "constitutes an advertisement under Section 336 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990". A Wigan Council spokesperson said: "Following the letter issued earlier this week, we have since contacted the business owner to confirm that no action will be taken at present. We have also expressed our intention to hold further discussions with him in the new year."

Whitestone Solicitors