WESTFIELD has scrapped plans to erect a statue of Kate Moss in its new Croydon shopping centre after the idea was panned on social media.
The Advertiser exclusively revealed this morning that the Australian retail giant had commissioned a statue of the supermodel, who grew up in Addiscombe, as the centrepiece of a £1 billion regeneration of the town centre.
But the plan to immortalise one of the borough's most famous exports have been dramatically shelved after a backlash from the public.
Eileen Debenham posted on the Advertiser's Facebook page: "Surely Croydon has a more worthy individual (or individuals) whom it would be more appropriate to honour in this way?"
Luke Finn posted on Twitter: "So Croydon are erecting a statue of Kate Moss as the centre piece for the new Westfields. Why do things like this happen?"
Neil Woodcock tweeted: "April Fool? Can't be serious...Croydon's Westfield will feature statue of Kate Moss."
Shannen Doherty simply posted: "Worst idea ever?"
David Ramsay said on Facebook: "It was a terrible idea and whoever thought of it needs to be told off."
Another commenter on the Advertiser's website asked for a link to a petition calling for Moss to be dropped for a 30ft tall statue of Darth Vader, in honour of actor Dave Prowse.
However, not everyone was convinced by the veracity of our story.
Tom Powell tweeted: "Do you think people reposting this in outrage should have looked at the date?"
