A sizzling sensation has hit the streets of Quinton, as a stunning mural featuring England stars Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers gets locals cheering! The vibrant artwork, created by talented artist Dion Kitson, is turning heads on the side of Classic Fryer chip shop – and it's not just the orange chips that are flying out the door!
Kitson, known for his daring 'guerrilla art' style, brought this brilliant tribute to life last Friday afternoon. His mission? To ignite West Midlands pride by celebrating two of its brightest footballing exports alongside a culinary tradition as iconic as it is tasty – neon-battered chips! The artwork has struck a chord with the community, drawing in visitors from far and wide, including reps from various local groups eager to pay homage to their homegrown heroes.
The impact on Classic Fryer has been nothing short of electrifying. Owner Ramesh Natwadia credits the mural as a 'local attraction' that's given his business a welcome boost during tough times. To keep up with demand, he's now opening two hours earlier each day and has brought in two extra staff members to help cope with the influx of fans and passersby. And it's not just about the chips – customers are going wild for photo ops in front of this masterpiece!
Dion Kitson is still reeling from the response, calling it his biggest ever! His phone's been flooded with messages, including shoutouts from Bellingham and Rogers themselves, while other local businesses are now clamouring to commission similar projects. Kitson hopes the mural will inspire a more positive form of patriotism – one that focuses on local pride, sport, and heritage rather than the 'dark side' sometimes seen online.
The mural's significance runs deeper for Kitson, who grew up in the Black Country. By highlighting Bellingham's roots in nearby Stourbridge, he aims to challenge lingering stigmas associated with the area's industrial past. With its strategic positioning between Birmingham and Stourbridge, Kitson sees this as more than just a mural – it's an opportunity to put the Black Country and Birmingham firmly on the map, fostering a shared sense of identity and pride in local role models.