Planning paw-mission granted for statue of famous local dog

Planning permission for a statue of a beloved local dog, Snips, has been granted, enabling the project to move forward.

The design details a bronze statue of Snips the dog sitting on a plinth, and this will be located in the Cornhill Market in Lincoln’s city centre.

City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire Co-op, and Lincoln Free Walking Tour are working together to create a memorial to this community icon.

The idea originated from Lincoln Free Walking Tour, who were inspired by their guests’ responses to Snips’ story.

The tour leaders started a petition for a statue in the Cornhill area, and Lincolnshire Co-op soon got on board to offer funding and resources, with the City of Lincoln Council accommodating the piece within the Cornhill Market.

During the 1950s, Snips’ owner, market trader Henry Tyler, raised more than £100,000 in today’s money by charging people a penny to stroke the Sealyham Terrier.

These donations went to various causes, including local flood relief and tea parties for the city’s pensioners. Snips’ impact was recognised by the city council and other organisations, who presented him with numerous awards.

Now that planning permission has been granted, the project is moving forward further; materials are being ordered, and work to construct the figure will soon be underway.

The design, which was submitted with support from Stem Architects, will be bought to life by artist Richard Ison.

Richard said: “My parents were both from Lincoln, so I was first told Snips’ story as a child.

“It’s really wonderful to now be working on this project, which will hopefully help to tell the story to many generations to come!”

As plans stand, the statue should be in place by mid-2024.

Brant Clayton, Co-Founder of Lincoln Free Walking Tour, said: “Obtaining listed building consent for the statue of Snips within the historic Cornhill Market is fantastic news.

“We have been working up to this point for the last two years; and to now be able to move forward with the statue being produced by the talented Richard Ison and installed on its plinth means we will soon be able to share this wonderful story with everyone.”

In true Snips spirit, the statue will also enable passers-by to donate to local charities by tapping their card on a donation point.

Property Engagement Manager at Lincolnshire Co-op, Ben James, said: “We’re excited to move forward on this project, and to eventually see the story of Snips bought to life for everyone to admire.

“Already, we have seen that people are taken by this extraordinary tale, and we are keen to involve the community in the project moving forward, too.”