A series of new public artworks and improvements to open spaces are helping to bring new life to part of Middlesbrough town centre.
New murals produced by Navigator North have seen the archways beneath the A66 close to the railway station transformed.
The new artworks and decorative lighting have made the Exchange Walk area more inviting, encouraging people to enjoy the area and support local businesses.
The murals, stretching out along Wilson Street, showcase Middlesbrough’s creativity and the voices of its communities. They were created following heritage research at Teesside Archives with local volunteers.
The project is part of Creative Places, a major investment in public art and creative placemaking around the town centre.
It is led by Middlesbrough Council and funded through the government’s Pride in Place Impact Fund. The fund aims to bring visible and immediate improvements to public places.
Cllr Philippa Storey, Deputy Mayor and Executive member for Culture, has congratulated Navigator North on the project.
She said: “Navigator North has a track record of bringing artists and other organisations together to make lasting change in our town. Using our funding from government, Creative Places will continue to focus on improving public spaces and attracting more visitors.”
“As we finalise our UK City of Culture 2029 bid and look forward to our 200th birthday in 2030, projects like this show how creativity can play a practical role in making the town centre more welcoming, vibrant and memorable. They make a difference.”
The latest project builds on Navigator’s WE SHALL BE programme that saw huge murals inspired by the town’s ‘Erimus’ motto painted onto both sides of the A66 flyover.
Director Vicky Holbrough said: “This has been a great opportunity to continue working with mural artists Nick Blaney and Nic Golightly as well as our project WE SHALL BE partner Middlesbrough Council. The new extended murals are inspired by the story of Middlesbrough, its heritage and communities, who have directly informed the artwork.”
“Working in underused, vacant and overlooked spaces has enabled us to make a real impact through commissioning public art and making real improvement in those areas to bring colour, creativity and civic pride back into the town.”
The improvements to Exchange Walk come at an important moment, with new businesses including the upcoming Pitch Sports Bar opening nearby, helping create a more active destination both during the day and night.
Earlier this month, Creative Places also funded huge murals on the side of properties in the Princes Road area of Gresham.
The programme will lead to a series of improvements around key routes and public spaces.
