AS THE World marks a year since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Coventry City Council has revealed to the Observer work is ongoing to build a statue in her honour, with several possible locations identified.
But the authority said nothing concrete had been decided yet and added it was still awaiting exact information about the memorial protocol for the late Queen.
Council officers are working through concept designs and initial costings for the statue, and although a location has not been chosen yet, potential places include Greyfriars Green, Belgrade Plaza, and Speakers Corner.
Today (Friday) marks one year since The Queen passed away at the age of 96.
The suggestion for a statue was made by the cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, Coun Jim O’Boyle, at a special meeting of the council during last year’s national mourning period.
He said a lasting tribute to celebrate her life and service felt very fitting and added it was something both he and the authority still wanted to pursue.
The statue could be made out of stone or bronze jesmonite and, depending on the option taken, it could be either lifelike or 10ft tall.
A council spokesperson said this could come in between £150,000 and £500,000, although no finance is currently in place as the authority is in an exploratory phase.
On Sunday, the government announced a newly established Queen Elizabeth Memorial Committee with Her Majesty’s former private secretary Lord Janvrin appointed as chair.
The committee will consider all everlasting tributes to the Queen and, alongside developing proposals for a permanent memorial, will create a national legacy programme to allow the entire UK to commemorate her life of service.
The government will consider funding options as proposals develop.
The late Queen first visited Coventry in May 1948 while still a princess, when she laid the foundation stone in what is now the Upper Precinct.
She laid the foundation stone at the Cathedral in March 1956, before returning for the consecration service in May 1962.
And she returned to the Upper Precinct in June 1970.
