Mural for Fish and Chip Shop Canceled Amid Nazi SS Symbol Allegations

A mural intended for the exterior of a fish and chip shop has been canceled following allegations that it featured a lightning bolt emblem associated with Nazi SS officers. This particular design was among 21 public artworks commissioned by Wakefield Council for its Our Year 2024 cultural festivities. The artwork was designated for the gable end of the establishment in Ferrybridge, intended to commemorate the locality’s connection to the Ferrybridge C power station and its contribution to national energy production. Nevertheless, the mural was withdrawn after Pete Girt, a councillor representing the Knottingley and Ferrybridge ward, raised objections regarding the imagery, leading the council to state that it would no longer be utilized. During a full council meeting on Wednesday, copies of the design were distributed to senior officers and several councillors, where Girt reiterated his reservations. Hannah Appleyard, the council’s cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, contested his assertion but confirmed that the design would no longer proceed. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reported that the artist behind the work remained unnamed within the council chamber. Girt additionally advocated for the council to engage an alternative artist to finalize the project. He stated: “My concern, and I need to voice this, is that when you’ve got an artist that thinks it’s ok to use the Nazi SS symbol to signify lightning bolts, and has to be told that’s not appropriate, I don’t think that’s an artist we should be working with.” He further added: “And it’s alright going back to him and saying ‘right, do a redesign’. I’d rather just see a different artist.” Appleyard challenged the notion that the artist had incorporated SS symbols, remarking: “I think it is wrong to say that that is the symbol that he used.” She elaborated: “Given that it was a mural celebrating the heritage of Ferrybridge power station, it’s quite clear that they were lightning bolts.” She further commented: “At the moment we are working with that artist. We have got a further consultation period as you know.” She continued: “There are further designs that are coming forward. I think we need to focus on what is coming next.” Our Year represents a cultural initiative spearheaded by Wakefield Council, designed to increase visitor attendance in the district and offer local residents opportunities to participate in community activities.