Best Statue 'Saved' By Private Developer

While public subscription failed to realise enough cash, the legendary NI player George Best is still set to be properly commemorated thanks to a private contribution.

The George Best Memorial Trust today announced that local urban regeneration developer, Doug Elliott, has agreed to fund and manage the delivery of a lasting memorial to the football legend in Belfast city centre.

The Trust, which was set up - with support from Belfast City Council - to raise funds for a George Best statue from public subscription, has been formally wound up as the money and delivery mechanism are now in place.

The Best family today warmly welcomed the involvement of Mr Elliott, who is one of the lead developers at the Gasworks project at Lower Ormeau Road and proprietor of Batik Creative Design Store, which is also located there. He is a founder director of twenty two over seven architects, and another of his companies is responsible for the restoration of the wonderful Ormeau Baths building.

George Best Memorial Trust chairman, Tom McGrath, said: "The statue will be a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest footballers and Northern Ireland's greatest sporting hero.

"Because of the genuine worldwide affection for George, it will prove to be one of our biggest tourist attractions in the years to come."

Mr Elliott said he was delighted to be given the opportunity to deliver this public art project for George, for his family, for the city of Belfast and for all George's admirers in Northern Ireland and further afield.

George's father, Dickie, said: "I was aware of the difficulties in raising sufficient funds for the statue and accept that people have their own financial demands to address.

"While I am disappointed we couldn't fulfil our preferred option to raise all of the money by public subscription, I am absolutely delighted that Doug has come forward in this way.

"Myself and my family have always been truly proud of George and his achievements and we are pleased he is now to be recognised in this way," he said.

While a decision has been taken to wind up the Trust and hand over the project to Doug Elliott and his team, staff from Belfast City Council who assisted the Trust will continue to assist Mr Elliott in the implementation of the project.

(GK/JM)(BMcC)