The family business behind some of the biggest events in Nottingham is to sponsor a robin sculpture for this year’s headline event – Hoodwinked.

Mellors Group is at the heart of many of the city’s crowd-pulling attractions, including the Beach, Winter Wonderland and the Nottingham Wheel. The company has also been involved with Goose Fair for well over a century, operating one of the first-ever rides at the event when it was still held in the Market Square.

Director James Mellors is one of the fourth generation of showmen from his family to be involved in the business.

He said: “We are pleased to add our support to this exciting new event for Nottingham. Our business began here, when my great-grandfather decided to invest in a swingboat ride and a shooting gallery, and although we have grown to be an international company it’s always special to be involved in events in our home city. Our events in the city have been a huge footfall driver over the years, especially during the economic difficult times, attracting people from neighbouring cities to visit Nottingham, so we are proud to be supporting Hoodwinked on this project, again encouraging visitors to the city.  We look forward to seeing all the sculptures on the streets and meeting some of the thousands of people who will enjoy discovering them.”

Nottingham City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Dave Trimble, said: “Thank you to the Mellors Group for their support for Hoodwinked.  Nottingham is renowned nationally as an excellent place to have a great time and Hoodwinked will add a new dimension to that reputation this summer. Visitors from across the country who come here to follow the Hoodwinked trail will be surprised by what the city has to offer – and the Nottingham Beach run by the Mellors Group in the Old Market Square will no doubt be an unexpected bonus.”

The Hoodwinked sculpture trail will run in the city centre from 7 July to 30 September.  It’s a twist on the tale of Robin Hood, transforming Nottingham’s iconic outlaw into the form of robins, each one uniquely designed and decorated by artists.

There will be around 30 sculptures on the trail, each sponsored by a business.  The sculptures will be auctioned in October 2018 to raise money for Nottinghamshire Hospice.

Hoodwinked is led by Nottingham City Council in partnership with Wild in Art, a leading creative producer of spectacular free public art events through the creation of uniquely-painted sculptures.

Nottingham businesses who would like to sponsor a sculpture can find out more by downloading the sponsor pack or by contacting Caroline Elmhirst or Julie Walker at hoodwinked@nottinghamcity.gov.uk or on 0115 8764984/5.