New public art initiative transforming Preston city centre focuses on Lancashire's cultural heritage

A major new public art initiative is transforming Preston's streetscape, with the first striking mural, Northern, unveiled at the former BHS site on Fishergate.

The project will see six large-scale murals created across prominent locations in the city, transforming vacant walls and buildings into striking pieces of public art. The murals have been designed around the shared themes of Lancashire and connectivity, celebrating the county's heritage, communities and links between people and place.

The artworks are being created by local artists Dave Robinson and Shawn Sharpe, whose collaborative designs aim to create a visually engaging trail through the city centre, making use of disused or forgotten spaces look great.

The street art trail will be prominent around the city centre with locations on Fishergate, Friargate, Lune Street, Lancaster Road, and The Flag Market. The full collection of murals is expected to be completed this summer, adding to an impressive art trail in the city that residents and visitors can explore. Once all the murals are complete, the Mayor of Preston will officially launch the new mural to Preston art trail.

This project is a creative way of dressing empty shops and premises in the city centre, to improve the look and feel of the high-street. Private landlords have come on board to support the project and provided permission for the artwork to be installed on their premises. It is hoped the new artwork will encourage other landlords to work with the Council and partners to improve the look of their shops and give the city centre a boost.

Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member of Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said: "These murals are a fantastic addition to Preston city centre, celebrating our Lancashire heritage while creating wonderful bright, artistic spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. It's great to see local artists bringing creativity and character to the city through this exciting new trail.

"By providing a vibrant looking city centre, we hope to attract visitors and new businesses and make steps to reduce anti-social behaviour."

Mark Whittle at Preston BID, said: "These exciting additions to the city's public art trail are a great example of collaboration helping to transform aspects of the city centre, creating more attractive spaces that people want to spend time in.

"The support from local artists, landlords, businesses and partners shows what can be achieved when we work together with a shared ambition to make Preston a more welcoming place.

"We hope that these pieces of art become landmarks in their own right, until more permanent uses are identified for the sites, inspiring further investment and improvements across our high streets."

Shawn Sharpe who is responsible for the more recent Pioneers mural of Edith Rigby at Animate and 'Mother' mural on Church Street has completed the first bit of artwork, called Northern, which occupies the former BHS building on Fishergate.

Shawn Sharpe said: "This project is about much more than painting walls. It's about creating something that people can feel proud of. I was keen for this to be a collaborative project, so I invited fellow Preston artist Secret Industries to create the design for the first mural. It reflects the creativity that's already here in our city and sets the tone for what's to come.

‘’Across the trail, the themes of Lancashire and connectivity will encourage people to explore Preston in a new way, discover different parts of the city, and celebrate the stories that connect us. I hope these murals become landmarks that residents are proud of and visitors remember long after they've left.

"Northern' isn't just a location, it's an identity. It can be a place, a feeling, or the way we express ourselves. That's what this mural represents. Bringing fellow Preston artist Secret Industries into the project for the first design was important to me because this is about showcasing the creativity that already exists in our city. I hope people see themselves reflected in the work and that it inspires them to explore the rest of the trail and celebrate what makes Preston unique."

Future artworks Lancashire Born & Bred (Friargate) and Proud to be from Preston (Lune Street) will bring together some of the county's most recognisable figures alongside the landscapes and landmarks that helped shape them.

David Robinson said: "I've always believed that where we're from becomes part of who we are. These pieces are about celebrating that relationship - showing how Lancashire and Preston have helped shape some incredible people, while also celebrating the places that have shaped all of us."

"Working on these has been a real privilege. As someone born and raised here, it gave me the chance to celebrate the county and city that inspired me. Lancashire has such a rich history of creativity, innovation and resilience, and I wanted to create something that reflects that pride.

"I loved working with Shawn, an artist's day to day working life can usually be quite solitary, so to be able to meet, plot and discuss what we could with the shop fronts was great, especially as we share a love for our home town.

"In Preston certainly I am probably known for my architectural pieces celebrating local landmarks, Shawn jokingly mentioned he was getting tired of painting people, and I had a similar feeling about always drawing buildings so we felt this was an opportunity for us both to do something a bit different and out of our comfort zones.

"Throughout the artworks, familiar landmarks sit alongside famous faces, creating visual stories filled with hidden details and references. In one piece, Sir Ian McKellen (born in Burnley) appears beside the iconic Singing Ringing Tree, complete with a subtle nod to one of his most celebrated film roles. Similar "Easter eggs" appear throughout the collections, rewarding viewers who take a closer look and recognise the connections.

"The collections feature an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, sports stars, innovators and cultural icons, celebrating the diversity of talent that has emerged from Lancashire over the generations."