With Rydale BMW vacating the premises at the end of Newhall Hill, the Padlock, the start of one of the walking tours and a gateway, was on their land.
However will the new developers for the site find a similar place for it in their new development or will every square cm be allocated for other uses? Below is how we reported it in 2001.
The Padlock It’s a ‘Lurv Thang ….’
A new sculpture with an amorous theme was opened on Valentine’s Day 2001.
The two-metre-high stainless-steel artwork is based on the form of a clasp from a charm bracelet and is sited at the bottom of Newhall Hill, one of the gateways to the Jewellery Quarter.
The Padlock was conceived and designed by Renn & Thacker – visual Artists in partnership and fabricated by Form Fabrications Ltd.
“The Jewellery Quarter must have romantic associations for countless numbers of people – it’s the place you go to buy a wedding or engagement ring and the heart shape of the padlock seemed a very appropriate form for the artwork.” Said Mark Renn. “We’ve designed the sculpture so that the forms a seat. We’d like to think that a couple could buy their engagement ring in the Jewellery Quarter and use the sculpture for popping the question.”
The Padlock also lights up at night, courtesy of a sophisticated fibre optic system, designed by Fibrelight.
The Padlock was commissioned by Rydale BMW with funding by Arts & Business.
