And news of the arrival of Dippy in Coventry: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur has been hailed as a welcome addition by leaders in the city.
Corin Crane, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce said: “Dippy is an iconic figure that has a track record of attracting millions of visitors, and its arrival into the city presents a fantastic opportunity for businesses to capitalise on the footfall that will be generated.
“To have this famous landmark on our doorstep for a prolonged period of time is especially pleasing, as it creates the potential for businesses in the city to tap into a longer-term income stream to help with ongoing issues such as rising costs.
“This is another fantastic reason for people outside of the region to visit Coventry and Warwickshire as part of the City of Culture legacy, and not only that, hopefully Dippy’s long-term presence can help to inspire the next generation of scientists from the Midlands!”
Paul Jones, Managing Director of Visit Coventry, said: “This is a real coup for Coventry and provides yet another boost to the fantastic tourism offer we have in the city.
“Coventry’s reputation as a cultural centre continues to grow and being able to attract internationally famous exhibits like this is further evidence of that developing profile.
“We are sure that Dippy will attract thousands of new visitors to our city and in turn provide significant benefit to the wider visitor economy in Coventry.”
Josie Bamford, Commissioning Director of Coventry UK City of Culture Trust, said: “Dippy is a fantastic addition to Coventry’s cultural offering and will no doubt be a source of awe and inspiration for people in the city and beyond.
“Dippy will not only attract visitors to the city, but also provide an opportunity to explore environmental challenges in a fun and accessible manner.”
Dippy’s original skeleton was discovered in Wyoming, USA in 1899, with its UK-based model being the first one unveiled for public display at the Natural History Museum in 1905.
Dippy has been an incredibly popular attraction during his 112-year stint at the Natural History Museum, attracting millions of visitors and credited for its ability to inspire visitors’ interest in fossils and the natural world.
Dippy has made appearances in TV programmes and blockbuster films including Paddington and Night at the Museum 3.
Dippy’s new Coventry residence follows on from a hugely successful 2018-21 tour, which attracted over 2 million visitors during trips to museums in eight locations across the UK, including Cardiff, Belfast, Dorchester, Glasgow, Rochdale and Norwich.
Tickets for the Dippy in Coventry: The Nation’s Favourite Dinosaur exhibition are available here: dippyincoventy.co.uk
