Elephant statues returned to Newport Street as Bolton town-centre upgrades continue

The three elephant sculptures were installed again on Newport Street on Wednesday 16 September 2026. After a decade at Octagon Court, the pieces have been moved back to the spot they occupied before 2015. The statues now stand at the exit of Bolton Interchange, where they can be seen by commuters and visitors. Their return is part of a series of improvements to the town centre.

The figures – known as Ellie, Elner and Mister Jackbow – were given their names through a competition that invited local schoolchildren to submit suggestions.

Funding for the project comes from the government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund, which supports a range of enhancements across the centre. In addition to the elephants, the fund is backing new murals created by local artists that celebrate Bolton’s history and its musicians, performers and sporting heroes. Upgraded outdoor power units are also being installed in Victoria Square to supply electricity for large public events.

Recent health-and-safety upgrades include brighter street lighting, an expanded CCTV network and the addition of defibrillators in key locations. Council officials say these measures, together with the aesthetic improvements, demonstrate a continued commitment to regeneration. Deputy Leader Cllr Martin Donaghy described the elephants as another milestone in the borough’s effort to transform its heart, alongside major schemes such as Moor Lane, Deansgate Gardens and the forthcoming Crompton Place and Church Wharf developments.

Executive Cabinet Member for Culture Cllr Debbie Newall said the statues evoke Bolton’s welcoming nature and its proud civic and cultural heritage. The elephant has long featured in local iconography, appearing on town-hall carvings and other monuments. Historical records show the animal symbol in use from 1799 and its formal inclusion in the coat of arms in 1890, with theories linking it to historic trade with India and the adoption of the Elephant and Castle from Coventry’s arms.