As part of this year’s city-wide Gromit Unleashed 3 trail, Bristol City Centre BID is proud to sponsor Robin Hood: Prince of Cheese.

Brought to life by illustrator and artist Mister Hope, the sculpture reimagines Wallace as the legendary justice-seeking outlaw, Robin Hood. Inspired by the age old tale, you can find the Prince of Cheese in College Green from 30 June to 31 August 2025.

We’re delighted to support this year’s trail and the incredible work of The Grand Appeal.

Read our interview with Mister Hope below to discover more about his inspiration and creative process.

We’d love to start by hearing about your background. Who is Mister Hope and how did your creative path begin?

I am an illustrator who lives in a small town in the north of England. I have always had a keen interest in all things creative. I used to be a learning support worker, and would share my creations with the students I was working with and using my moniker of Mister Hope allowed me the anonymity while still being able to inspire and encourage those students. In 2014 with a couple of magazine illustrations under my belt, I left my job (mainly to take care of my new born daughter) to start my illustration career properly! Since then I have illustrated several children’s books, a computer game, a card game and so many stickers I can’t even count!

What was your first reaction when you found out you were taking part in Gromit Unleashed 3?

I was certainly a little apprehensive. Travelling to Bristol with just my family and sketchbook is stressful enough. But we managed to turn it into a little family getaway in the Easter hols also chucking stuff in the back of the car and road trippin’ down to Bristol was super!

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind your design for Robin Hood: Prince of Cheese?

Obviously, so many things are copyright protected but luckily, the legend of Robin Hood himself is royalty free! I looked at old illustrations and wood carvings. I may have been watching Errol Flynn while I was sketching some ideas.

You have a very distinctive style – how did you incorporate that into your design?

I tried to include a bit of texture. As a watercolour artist, lots of the pieces I make have an effortless texture but that’s hard to replicate, certainly with emulsion paint! Sneaking a little stylised Gromit onto the coins and Wallace’s bracers (arm cuff thingies) was enough to sate my need to add my own touches.

What do you hope people think or feel when they see your sculpture on the trail?

I’d like people to recognise him, and maybe have a little chuckle at his title! I had a blast working on it, if people enjoy looking at it, I’ve done my job properly. As with any of these things, people will hopefully be thinking about the impact the trail has on the charity’s work and enjoy it enough to donate.