Deal Porters sculpture returns to Canada Dock

The locally much-loved Deal Porters sculpture, which immortalises two historical dock workers in cast bronze and oak, has returned to its place in Canada Dock.

The sculpture has been refreshed as part of works to improve and revitalise the dock as part of the 53-acre Canada Water development by British Land. The piece was taken to a specialist warehouse in Bristol for renovation, with the team working closely with original artists Philip Bews and Diane Gorvin to make sure the restoration stayed true to their design. The cast figures have been cleaned and treated to maintain their condition, with the oak elements having been replaced and the steel arc cleaned and given a new coat of paint. Deal porters epitomised the distinctive culture of the working docks until the mid-20th century. Their work, unloading and stacking large baulks of timber, known as deal, that arrived from North America and the Baltics, was acrobatic, tough and dangerous. The dynamic sculpture shows one porter lifting the end of a deal baulk while the other takes it onto his shoulder.

First installed in 1990, the 7m high sculpture has been away for nearly a year since it was taken for restoration in April 2023. Contractors

Galldris have been waiting for a suitable window in their dock restoration in which to have it reinstated.

The works at the dock, due for completion later this year, will create a natural habitat with enriched biodiversity and opportunities for people to enjoy it with a boardwalk, dipping pond and steps down to the water’s edge.

The revitalised setting will give the Deal Porters sculpture more prominence as part of an urban landscape that celebrates the heritage of Canada Water.

Michael Delfs, Development Executive at British Land, said: “We’re very glad to have the Deal Porters home again, overlooking Canada

Dock where these workers plied their trade for so many years. As we work to revitalise Canada Water, we want to celebrate the history and identity of the place and help keep these stories alive. We hope the restoration of both the sculpture and the surrounding dock will enable people to enjoy this artwork in full.”