Council gives green light for Alan Shearer statue move as Newcastle United legend comes closer to stadium

Newcastle City Council has approved plans to move the statue of Alan Shearer closer to St. James' Park.

The planning application was received by Newcastle County Council on January 10, 2022 and has now been given the green light.

It will see the statue of the legendary number nine moved from Barrack Road, near the Milburn Stand closer to what was formerly known as Nine Bar.

Earlier this week the long-awaited re-branding of Nine Bar was confirmed, with its new name of Shearer's Sports Bar & Lounge also paying homage to the striker.

The new statue will be positioned in front of the Gallowgate Stand, adjacent to the figure of fellow club legend Bobby Robson.

The works will see wayfinder signage to the right to the right of the Robson statue removed and a new plinth built to match the existing edge.

In its proposed new position the statue will look as if it is running towards St. James' Metro station and fans will pass it when climbing the steps of the Gallowgate Stand.

That area of the stadium is a common gathering place for Newcastle fans, such as on takeover day.

The planning application states the work needed to be done as: "Relocate existing Statue, erection of new plinth and demolition of existing plinth and replace paving."

Shearer had previously made it clear that he wasn't happy with the positioning of his £250,000 brass statue.

Speaking on Sky Sports a couple of years ago, he quipped that anyone confused why the 9ft 6ins figure wasn't on official St. James' Park ground should ask Mike Ashley.