A petition to bring Banksy's artwork back to Nottingham has been set up after the mural was sold for a six figure sum to a gallery in Essex.
The artwork, widely referred to as the Hula-Hoop Girl and thought to reference the old Raleigh factory in Lenton, had been admired by thousands after it appeared on the wall of a hair and beauty salon in Rothesay Avenue in October last year.
On the morning of Wednesday, February 17, workmen were then seen using a circular saw to remove the brickwork in which it had been painted on.
The bicycle, which had formed part of the original piece, had been removed some time ago for "safe-keeping".
In an exclusive interview with Nottinghamshire Live, the private landlord of the building revealed they had in fact sold it to the Brandler Galleries in Brentwood, where it will later appear as part of a street art exhibition.
Residents were left angered and disappointed at the fact the enigmatic artist's "gift" to the city had been taken away, and as a result a petition has been set up, calling for the artwork to be brought back.
The petition comes just as a mysterious stencilled note appeared on the chipboard which now covers the hole in the wall.
It reads: "More people visited the Mona Lisa after it had been stolen than when it was there."
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The message is signed off with "Banksy".
It appeared overnight and at a time when a petition was set up on Change.org by Mike Horseman.
The petition reads: "When we first heard Banksy had gifted his time and talent to the people of Nottingham with the iconic Hoola-Hoop Girl in Lenton we were totally delighted and excited.
"I know as a Notts boy what Robin Hood would of made of it so lets take action and get this sorted together.
"Please help me and help this city restore what I believe is our right to see and enjoy this artwork."
While the city has been left disappointed, John Brandler, the owner of the southern-based galleries and collector of Banksy's work, said not a single one of the city's great and good had come forward to claim the piece.
He said buying it would ensure it would be protected.
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Dr Emily Strange, principal lecturer in Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University, offered her insight into the events.
She said: "The artist made a choice to situate the work on private property and so promote a commercial debate around ownership.
"I sincerely hope this was a mindful decision but at the same time I am disappointed that the machine has merely been fed by this action, and not poked at with more critical intent."
Some of the city's famous sons and daughters also tweeted their frustration at the news.
BBC Line of Duty star Vicky McClure said: "What a bloody shame."
Andy Reid, a coach for Nottingham Forest's Under-23 squad who retired as a footballer for the Reds in 2016, said: "I'm sad that the Banksy in Nottingham is not going to stay in Nottingham. It was put there for a reason."
The organiser of Beeston Street Art, Jeanie Barton, added: "Real shame the Nottingham Banksy has been sold to Brandler Galleries in Brentwood.
"Taking from the poor and giving to the rich is the opposite of what Robin Hood stood for and indeed of what street art is all about."