The Burton Cooper

The Burton Cooper is a bronze statue in Cooper's Square depicting a craftsperson in traditional clothing focused on shaping a wooden barrel. The figure shows refined details like hand veins and a full-length protective apron specific to the cooper's trade.

The statue was created in 1977 by artist James Butler and installed at Cooper's Square in 1994. It was funded through contributions from local breweries and civic groups to mark the shopping center's completion.

The statue honors the cooper trade that sustained Burton upon Trent's brewing industry, where craftspeople made and fixed wooden barrels for storing beer. The sculpture keeps alive the memory of skilled trades that shaped this community.

The statue stands in the Cooper's Square shopping center and is easily accessible from multiple entrances. Informational plaques on both sides of the marble plinth provide background on the craftsmanship and local heritage.

The artwork shows a cooper wearing a characteristic apron with a single hole, an authentic detail of traditional Burton workwear. This specific feature makes the portrayal historically accurate and more engaging for visitors exploring the area's craft heritage.

Location: Burton upon Trent

Inception: 1977

Creator: James Butler

GPS coordinates: 52.80197,-1.63233

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:45