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Pub awning that blocked Derry Girls mural removed

BBC The Derry Girls mural in Derry, featuring four of the characters from the TV show. They are dressed in school uniforms. In the foreground is a seating area while the awning that partially covered the mural has now been removedBBC
The awning on the side of Badger's Bar was removed on Monday

A pub awning that sparked controversy because it partially covered the Derry Girls mural in Londonderry has been taken down.

The installation outside Badger’s Bar on Orchard Street went up in early September.

It triggered much criticism with tourists telling BBC News NI they had been left disappointed they could not see the mural – a homage to the Emmy award-winning Channel 4 comedy’s main characters – when they arrived in Derry.

The awning was removed on Monday.

It is not yet known if it is a permanent or temporary removal.

Last month, Badger's Bar told the BBC they would not be making any public comment on the matter and on Tuesday declined comment on the removal of the awning.

Derry Girls mural showing the characters on a gable wall with awning blocking the view of the bottom half
The awning, the pub's beer garden roof, was erected last month

The mural has become one of the most visited sites in Derry since it was first unveiled in 2019.

Thousands of visitors – and locals – have flocked to the pub to take a selfie with Erin, Michelle, Orla, Clare, and "the wee English fella" James.

The awning is the subject of an investigation by the local council, who have planning responsibility.

PA Media Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee, in red and green check jacket and holding up three fingers on her right hand, stands in front of the Derry Girls mural. The mural depicts the characters from her hit comedy show. PA Media
Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee pictured in front of the mural before the seating area was installed

Planning permission for an awning was granted in 2022.

But on Monday, a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said the permission “did not include the awning and structure in the elevation where the Derry Girls mural is located”.

“Council has been engaging directly with the applicant in relation to this matter,” the spokesperson added.