Black Horse gallops back into Leeds as banking giant relocates landmark

A landmark equestrian sculpture has been let loose in Leeds once again.
Russell Galley, of Halifax Community Bank, looks up at the Black Horse at Lovell Park, Leeds.Russell Galley, of Halifax Community Bank, looks up at the Black Horse at Lovell Park, Leeds.
Russell Galley, of Halifax Community Bank, looks up at the Black Horse at Lovell Park, Leeds.

The imposing 14ft-tall Black Horse sculpture had stood on Park Row since it was installed in 1976 outside what was then the northern headquarters of Lloyds Bank.

Following the closure of the branch late last year, the banking giant allayed fears that the Peter Tysoe piece was being put out to pasture by announcing it would move across town to its offices in Lovell Park Road, Sheepscar.

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Lloyds bosses unveiled the refurbished sculpture, which now sits on a sandstone-topped concrete plinth, today.

Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax Community Bank, was among the banking bosses at the unveiling ceremony at Lovell Park.

Last year the company had expressed that it was keen to display the sculpture in a prominent location, describing it as an “important local landmark” and part of the company’s heritage.

At the time sculptor Mr Tysoe, who lives in Torquay, told Yorkshire Post Newspapers: “I must commend Lloyds on their concern for the preservation of the sculpture – I’ve been consulted at every stage of the process.”

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The sculpture’s rod and tube sections are intended to give it the appearance of a three dimensional line drawing.

Originally called The Black Horse, it was later renamed Cancara after the equine star of a long-running series of TV adverts for Lloyds.

Lloyds began using its famous symbol after its 19th Century takeover of another bank that had traded under a black horse sign in Lombard Street, London.

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