Manchester's original 'Tram Taylor' - a life-size cardboard cut-out of pop sensation Taylor Swift is to be sold at auction, with proceeds donated to charity.
The cardboard figure has been a fond and familiar sight to thousands travelling through Cornbrook on the Metrolink for six years, but its future was thrown into jeopardy last year when the tenant of the apartment, comedian Red Redmond, announced they were moving to Sheffield.
The post sparked outcry on social media, with fans tweeting their desperation at seeing the lifesize cut-out saved. However, their prayers were shortly answered after the apartment appeared up for rent online, stating that those hoping to make it their new pad would need to be willing to cohabit with the famous face.
READ MORE You can rent iconic ‘Tram Taylor’ flat - but under one very important condition
The two-bed flat was listed as the ‘iconic Tram Taylor apartment’, and was available for rent at £1,050 per month. Previous tenant Red said that a clause was added to the tenancy agreement insisting 'she should stay'.
Now, the team at The Manc have got their hands on the original cut-out of Taylor, which was replaced with a pristine new figure after it had become sun damaged.
It will be auctioned off with proceeds going to the Mermaids charity, which supports transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse children and young people, giving one lucky person a chance to hold on to some Manchester heritage.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Red, who has since moved out and relocated to Sheffield, said: "I first met Tram Taylor back in 2017 when she was left behind at a club night at The Leadmill in Sheffield where I work. I took her on a train ride back to my flat in Manchester where she has stood ever since. I am blown away by how much she means to people.
"The original Tram Taylor is currently being kept at an undisclosed location before she is auctioned off for charity later this month. However, we recently purchased an additional Tram Taylor which still sits in the window of my old flat.
"We have added a clause to our tenancy agreement that insists Tram Taylor must stay remain on display which our new tenant has graciously accepted. So Manchester gets to keep an icon and we can raise money for a good cause. Everybody wins.
"I have been blown away by the support. I never knew she meant this much to so many people. So it’s important to me that we benefit the most people we possibly can."
Since 2017, the 2D figure has become an institution for thousands of people who pass the landmark on the Metrolink when travelling between Cornbrook at the city centre.
The partially damaged cut-out was then replaced by Red before moving out earlier this year, causing fans to question if Taylor 'had grown'.
Red added: "By putting a new cutout in that window we get to continue Tram Taylor’s legacy and by auctioning off the original we get to raise money for a great cause whilst giving one lucky bidder walk home with a small piece of Manchester heritage.
"Following the tragic murder of Brianna Ghey and the increased hostility towards the transgender community I believe it is more important than ever that we show visible and public support for the transgender community."
The Tram Taylor auction will be going live later this month with Adam Partridge, with all proceeds being donated to Mermaids.
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