A nine-foot fibreglass statue of Lara Croft is set to be installed in Derby city centre after a successful crowdfunding campaign led by collector Luke Earle, bringing the iconic Tomb Raider heroine back to the town where the franchise began.
The move honours Core Design’s role in creating Tomb Raider and celebrates the series’ enduring cultural impact since its 1996 debut.
The statue was originally displayed at Camden Market in London as the centrepiece of "Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience." After that exhibition closed in 2023, organisers removed the piece and it remained in storage.
Earle launched a Kickstarter to cover transport, restoration and installation costs with an initial target of £30,000 to return the figure to Derby, where Core Design was based and Lara Croft was effectively born.
The campaign reached and exceeded its goal after contributions from fans and a key pledge from Derby City Council.
Earle, who organises an annual Tomb Raider celebration at Derby QUAD each October, expressed relief and gratitude, saying that fans’ interest and the council’s support were decisive in ensuring the project could move forward.
He highlighted that the statue’s public display in the city centre will be a draw for residents and visitors and a focal point for fans planning visits.
Derby’s councillor for culture and tourism framed the installation as a recognition of the city’s creative heritage.
The councillor noted that Lara Croft reflects Derby’s pioneering spirit and the local talent that placed the city on the global video games map, adding that the statue will pay tribute to that legacy and serve to inspire future game designers and creative professionals.
City officials plan to mount the statue on the balcony of Derby Market Hall, with organisers aiming for the installation to coincide with the Tomb Raider franchise’s 30th anniversary in October.
The project has been framed as a collaborative effort between fans, local institutions and the council to celebrate one of Britain’s most recognisable video game characters.
Tomb Raider’s influence extends across platforms and generations, with the franchise appearing on a wide range of hardware and digital storefronts, including releases and collections that have made their way to Nintendo Switch and eShop.
The Derby statue underscores the series’ lasting cultural footprint and the role local developers like Core Design played in shaping modern gaming history.
The move honours Core Design’s role in creating Tomb Raider and celebrates the series’ enduring cultural impact since its 1996 debut.
The statue was originally displayed at Camden Market in London as the centrepiece of "Tomb Raider: The LIVE Experience." After that exhibition closed in 2023, organisers removed the piece and it remained in storage.
Earle launched a Kickstarter to cover transport, restoration and installation costs with an initial target of £30,000 to return the figure to Derby, where Core Design was based and Lara Croft was effectively born.
The campaign reached and exceeded its goal after contributions from fans and a key pledge from Derby City Council.
Earle, who organises an annual Tomb Raider celebration at Derby QUAD each October, expressed relief and gratitude, saying that fans’ interest and the council’s support were decisive in ensuring the project could move forward.
He highlighted that the statue’s public display in the city centre will be a draw for residents and visitors and a focal point for fans planning visits.
Derby’s councillor for culture and tourism framed the installation as a recognition of the city’s creative heritage.
The councillor noted that Lara Croft reflects Derby’s pioneering spirit and the local talent that placed the city on the global video games map, adding that the statue will pay tribute to that legacy and serve to inspire future game designers and creative professionals.
City officials plan to mount the statue on the balcony of Derby Market Hall, with organisers aiming for the installation to coincide with the Tomb Raider franchise’s 30th anniversary in October.
The project has been framed as a collaborative effort between fans, local institutions and the council to celebrate one of Britain’s most recognisable video game characters.
Tomb Raider’s influence extends across platforms and generations, with the franchise appearing on a wide range of hardware and digital storefronts, including releases and collections that have made their way to Nintendo Switch and eShop.
The Derby statue underscores the series’ lasting cultural footprint and the role local developers like Core Design played in shaping modern gaming history.
