Iconic elephant statue at Elephant & Castle moves after 55 years

The iconic elephant statue which has been a landmark at South London’s biggest transport hub has come down for a makeover before it is moved to a temporary home.

The pink sculpture is due to go to a new base in Castle Square, with many mourning its significance in the changing face of the Elephant & Castle.

After being given a lick of paint it will be moved to Castle Square and later to a space in the new town centre when the £1billion redevelopment is finished.

One twitter user said: “Anyone who lives or has lived in South London understands the meaning of this elephant to Latinos.”

Work began in October to pull down the 55-year-old landmark shopping centre.

Keltbray, the civil engineering group, are carrying out a phased demolition of the 55-year-old Elephant and Castle Shopping Centre, will make way for a new £1billion town centre.

The first phase of building will be low-rise structures to the north of the site facing New Kent Road.

A spokesman for the company said: “The approach has been carefully planned to ensure noise, disruption and dust is kept to a minimum.”

Demolition is due to continue until the summer of 2021. Construction of the new town centre is expected to start in 2021.

Other pieces of signage and artefacts from the shopping centre are being retained and are also expected to be given a new home.

A spokeswoman for Elephant and Castle town centre said: “The regeneration and the future of the town centre has been discussed for many years, so it is encouraging to see it moving forward.”

The first phase of the new town centre, which will take five years to complete across 2.5 acres will include a new Northern line station that is “future-proofed for the Bakerloo line extension with significantly enhanced capacity”.

It will also have a new building for London College of Communication, and a centre for the University of the Arts London’s core university services.