'Secret' location of city's Banksy work revealed

A mural by elusive artist Banksy that was removed from a Hull bridge more than seven years ago is being kept in storage more than 120 miles away - and officials have yet to confirm when it will return.

The work appeared on Scott Street Bridge, which spanned the River Hull, in January 2018. It was removed prior to the bridge being demolished in 2019.

Now it has emerged the artwork, which has not been seen in public since, is being stored in Norfolk, according to a Hull City Council tender notice.

The council has not responded to requests from the BBC to explain why the work was taken to another county, why it is being stored in Norfolk, and the timescale for the project to reinstate it in Hull.

According to the tender document, the council said it would pay a company £60,000 to transport the mural from its current location and to design, construct and install a display case at Hull's Trinity Market, which will be its permanent location.

The closing date for tender submissions was 17 June, with the contract expected to run until the end of 2026.

The BBC has repeatedly asked the council if the contract has been awarded, but it has not responded.

Labour councillor Rosie Nicola, who represents the city's Orchard Park ward, said an update on the project was needed.

She said: "As a resident, somebody born and bred in Hull, I was thrilled to bits that Banksy came to our city, left his mark but now nobody can see it.

"It's been so long since it's been stashed away. I just want to know when is it going to be on public display again.

"Nobody will tell us where this painting is and when it's going to be put on display. It's wrong."

The current location of the Banksy, which measures 22ft by 6ft (7m by 2m) and weighs more than a tonne, has been shrouded in mystery since its removal.

The only hint came in 2025 when a council source said the mural was being kept in a "secret location".

During a meeting of the council's Economy and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September this year, chairman Mark Collinson was met with laughter when he asked where the artwork was.

Responding to the Liberal Democrat councillor's question, Angela Blake, the council's assistant director of major projects, culture and place, said: "It's a secret."

Chris Jackson, the council's executive director for regeneration, added: "I'm not sure we're allowed to say."

The overall cost to the taxpayer of preserving the work is not clear, but a contract for £900,000 was awarded to Alan Wood and Partners. This covered the cost of dismantling Scott Street Bridge, as well as preserving the artwork and installing new railings.

The BBC has contacted Banksy for comment.

Prof Paul Gough, a leading expert on the artist, said: "Banksy has always expressed irritation when his public work is dismantled or stolen.

"It is unfortunate the Hull artwork has remained in storage for such a long time.

"When the art is removed, it is taken out of its original context and loses its meaning."

According to a BBC investigation, as of April 2026, councils across England owned 579,553 pieces of art but just 5% is on display.

Gough added: "While the wonderful piece from Hull has been concealed from view it will have accrued in value. Sadly, too many fascinating artworks are lost in bank vaults far from public view."

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