Cathedral Quarter firms show support for Peace Doves

Businesses in the Cathedral Quarter are helping to promote a major new art installation, which has opened to the public at Derby Cathedral.

Peace Doves, which will be in place until 12 June, has been created by renowned sculptor and artist Peter Walker.

The artwork features around 8,000 paper doves suspended within the Cathedral, accompanied by a soundscape from composer David Harper.

Schools in Derby and Derbyshire, community groups, wellbeing groups and the general public, have been invited to decorate the doves that form the artwork with messages of peace, love and hope.

And businesses in the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) have also been getting creative to help promote the installation.

In addition to supporting Peace Doves as an official main sponsor organisation, a number of the BID’s levy payers are also getting involved by featuring their own Peace Doves in the windows of their offices and shops.

One of the first to support this initiative was Gadsby Nichols, in Iron Gate, whose window is already featuring a display of Peace Doves, decorated by staff and their families.

Liz Young, sales negotiator at Gadsby Nichols, said: “The moment we heard about the Peace Doves at the Cathedral, we wanted to get involved.

“Not only was it a deeply moving concept, but we were keen to promote the forthcoming event and the huge benefits that it brings to the Cathedral Quarter in terms of extra visitors.”

More than 30 BID businesses have been provided with Peace Doves to display.

It is hoped that attendances will match those when the Knife Angel was on display, back in October 2019.

Martin Langsdale, chair of the Cathedral Quarter BID, said: “I’m proud of the efforts that BID businesses are making to promote this inspiring event.

“I feel sure that this, together with our commitment as main sponsors, will help ensure that the Peace Doves installation brings a host of new visitors to the Cathedral Quarter.”