Jaws Breaks Laws: Sharks Removed From Canal In London

A group of singing sharks that were set to drop jaws, have now been removed from a canal in London.

The fibreglass sharks were also going to blow bubbles and emit smoke, but have been removed from the Regent’s Canal in Hoxton, in the London Borough of Hackney, after a last-minute injunction was granted by the High Court.

Hackney Council’s injunction claimed the fibreglass sharks, an art installation designed by local architect Jamie Shorten, were an unauthorised change of use and breached planning control.

For Hackney Council then, it was sadly more of a case of don't smile, you son of a breach of planning.

Jamie said: “I just feel sorry for the people that won’t see them and, you can’t feel sorry for a bit of fibreglass, but I feel sorry for the sharks as well."

Jamie’s sharks took their inspiration from the famous Headington Shark on Oxford, an eight-metre fibreglass great white by John Buckley, which looks like it has crashed head first into a house. That art also caused a planning stir, but eventually gained permission.
So what next for the sharks? Jamie added:

“Personally, I think we will do something else – (if) one door closes, we’ll find another opportunity.”

What do you think should happen to the canal sharks of Hoxton?

Words by Dean Newman

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