Famous Vimto monument gets a makeover

16 Sep 2011

After months of careful restoration, the famous Vimto monument has returned to its home on Granby Row at The University of Manchester.

Matthew Nichols, the great grandson of the founder of Vimto, was there to welcome it back.

The grapes and raspberries have been restored with the grapes changing from red to green to reflect the ingredients of Vimto, while the blackcurrants have been replaced. A new wooded barrel has been constructed to replace the bottom of the Vimto bottle and new labels have been carved and painted.

The monument was first carved by Kerry Morrison and installed in Granby Row in 1992. Granby Row is the site of the factory where the first batch of Vimto was made by John Noel Nichols back in 1908.

After 19 years of the Manchester weather and attention from city revellers, the monument was in need of a refresh and it has been brought back to its former glory by Nick Lumb at Acorn Furniture in Wrexham.

Nick said: “It has taken a lot of work to restore the monument but it has been a wonderful challenge and it is wonderful to see it back where it belongs in Granby Row.”

Matthew Nichols said: “I am very proud that the birthplace of Vimto is commemorated with this monument and that my great grandfather’s achievements are recognised. We have been inundated with people asking what has happened to the monument so I am pleased it has returned and is looking at its best.”

Fans have been following the progress of the make-over at http://www.acorn-furniture.co.uk/vimto/