A giant mural of England football stars Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers has appeared on the side of the Classic Fryer fish and chip shop in Quinton, a suburb of Birmingham. The artwork, which shows the players tucking into orange chips, a local delicacy, was installed on Friday afternoon by guerrilla artist Dion Kitson.
Viral Sensation and Community Response
The mural has become a viral sensation on social media, attracting a steady stream of visitors, including pensioners from a local care home and a group of children with Down's syndrome. The shop's owner, Ramesh Natwadia, has started opening two hours early and hired two extra staff to meet demand from fans coming to see the mural.
Local artist Dion Kitson, who has 27,700 Instagram followers, said the mural received the biggest response he had ever experienced, including posts from Bellingham and Rogers. "My phone's been on fire," he said. Other local businesses are asking him to create Bellingham murals on their walls.
Artist's Intent and Local Pride
Kitson said he wanted the mural to challenge "the dark side of patriotism" seen online and instead channel positive local pride. "It's not a political statement, it's just about feeling good," he explained. He also hoped the focus on Bellingham, who grew up in nearby Stourbridge, would challenge stigma around the Black Country's industrial legacy.
"It's strange that he's from our neck of the woods, having role models that sound like us," Kitson said. He chose the Quinton junction because it lies between Birmingham and Stourbridge, imagining Bellingham might have passed through as a schoolboy.
Business Boost and Community Sentiment
Ramesh Natwadia, owner of Classic Fryer, said the mural had become "a local attraction" and reversed the business's fortunes at a difficult time. "Our customers are really happy, they said it's amazing," he noted, adding that some asked to take photos with orange chips in front of the mural.
Local resident Gerdas said, "They're local lads. We're just really proud of them. And it gives Birmingham and the Black Country a big boost." Some residents have expressed frustration that Bellingham is often described as from Birmingham when Stourbridge is in the Black Country.
Support in Stourbridge
In Stourbridge, residents are gearing up to support their hometown hero. West Midlands Railway is offering free train travel on its Stourbridge Shuttle all week. The Cock'N'Bull pub has been fully booked for matches, with assistant manager Bobby George saying, "It was a really good crowd – the best you could hope for. The atmosphere was amazing." The pub is offering free shots for every England goal, with George joking, "Bellingham is costing us a lot of money."
Tattoo artist Dunc Henderson at OSC said he hasn't done any Bellingham tattoos yet but might get one if England wins the World Cup. Dan Henley from AP Morgan estate agents noted, "Stourbridge is pretty small, pretty unheard of, so having someone on the main stage, I think you should shout about it."
