Owl installation unveiled at Budgens of Holt

An owl-themed art installation has just been unveiled at the Kerridge Way store featuring more than 800 portraits of members of the Holt community who attended the supermarket's grand opening in March.

Carl Milton, managing director of Budgens’ owners, the CT Baker Group, said the project was a way to thank the store’s customers for their support.

On the opening day of the new Budgens in Holt in March (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Milton said: “It is fabulous to see this incredible piece of artwork added to the store. 

“Being a central part of community life is at the heart of everything we do at CT Baker Budgens of Holt and this is such a fitting way to showcase this to our customers. 

“With the owl as the main concept, we wanted to link to the history of Holt and its long association with these amazing creatures. 

A scene from the opening of Budgens in Holt in March (Image: Denise Bradley)

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“What could be more fitting than to encapsulate this with more than 800 portraits of our loyal customers, suppliers and colleagues within the image?”

Owls are a long-standing symbol of the town, stemming from a legend in which a troublesome owl escaped capture from a group of Holt men. 

The town also has a ‘Holt Owl Trail’ historic walking route. 

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The previous Budgens in Holt burned down in 2020 (Image: Lee Smith)

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The opening of the supermarket - the only one in Holt - followed an almost three-year rebuild project after the previous Budgens on the site burned to the ground on the evening of June 20, 2020. 

No-one was hurt in the blaze, which was caused by an electrical fault.

The owl artwork was designed by creative agency KAT Marketing, and was installed by the signage firm EsignUK.