Monuments in Gloucester linked to people who benefited from the transatlantic slave trade could be renamed or removed next year.

Gloucester City Council agreed last year to undertake a review of all monuments, statues and plaques in the city connected with the slave trade and plantation ownership.

And a report which details the review’s findings and recommendations is set to be published next month.

The review looks at Bakers Quay and Phillpotts Warehouse which were named after Samuel Baker and Thomas Phillpotts who were both linked to the slave trade.

There are also statues of Charles II in St Mary’s Square and Queen Anne in Gloucester Park who both had strong connections with the forced relocation of thousands of people from Africa to colonies in the Caribbean.

And George Whitefield, who was a one of the founders of Methodism, was born in the Bell Inn in Southgate Street.

He was a plantation owner and slaveholder and there are blue plaques in the city which mention his name.

Culture and leisure cabinet member Andy Lewis (Con, Quedgeley Severn Vale) said it was important for people to learn from the city’s history.

“It’s something we ought to learn about,” he said.

“Let’s discuss these things and learn the history to teach future generations about it.

“If you don’t learn from history, you repeat it.”

Councillor Terry Pullen (Lab, Moreland) said his group brought the motion to the council in July 2020 in recognition of the Black Lives Matter Campaign and condemning killing of George Floyd.

“We recognise that generally Gloucester has a good record in race relations but too many black people still experience racism and discrimination in our city and sadly Institutional Racism still exists in many of our institutions.

“We know that there are monuments, statues and buildings in Gloucester that are connected with the slave trade and we need to carefully consider removing or renaming them.

“I am looking forward to receiving the report of the Race Relations Commission and its recommendations, which will hopefully improve the lives of black people in our city.”

Councillor Declan Wilson (Lib Dem, Hucclecote), who is working on the review, said he was glad the council took on the review.

“There will be an interesting debate to follow from it but it’s important that we address these issues if we want to move forward as a united community.”

A council spokesperson said the aim of the review is to help raise awareness about Gloucester’s past and to help people learn more about the city’s links to slavery which many may not be aware of.

“The views of residents will be taken on board with a full public consultation undertaken before any steps are taken following the review,” the spokesperson said.

“However, the majority of monuments and landmarks are not owned by the council and it can only recommend that actions be taken to recognise this aspect of our shared history.”