Plans for mural in Cheltenham street get short shrift from heritage guardians
PLANS to install a colourful mural on a bustling Cheltenham street have attracted criticism from protectors of the town's heritage.
Trade networking group Cheltenham Connect wants to install the seven foot piece of art on the wall outside the Exmouth Arms in Bath Road.
-
SHOP CULTURE: The proposed design for the Bath Road mural
It has been designed as an interpretation of the road's history with a variety of traders, including a greengrocer, a butcher and a publican.
However, initial drawings of how the mural would look have left members of Cheltenham Civic Society unimpressed.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
John Henry, chairman of the group's planning forum, said he was concerned the designs looked overly cluttered.
"We are not convinced that this is the right thing here," he said.
"In our view it is of questionable merit, the design being too busy."
However, owners of the Exmouth Arms gave a staunch defence of the £3,500 mural.
And they said final designs for the piece were yet to be agreed.
Pub manager Sarah Capewell said: "Although we have not submitted the application ourselves, it's on our property so we would not be getting behind it if we didn't think it was a good idea.
"The initial drawings are subject to change, but overall we think it would be a positive addition to the street."
An application for the plans has been submitted on behalf of trade networking group Cheltenham Connect.
It is part of a wider project aimed at making a raft of improvements to the road, including the addition of new street furniture and plant tubs.
Wendy Ellyatt, founder of Cheltenham Connect, said she hoped the proposals would be well-received.
"Bath Road is such a wonderfully unique part of Cheltenham and this would be something to catch the eye of people driving past," she said."
It has been funded by a public art grant and could be in place by September.
3 Comments
by Coingrass
Monday, March 11 2013, 9:27PM
“Now if you could get Banksy to do it. . .”
by tykelip
Monday, March 11 2013, 2:45PM
“Mixed feelings about this one...
On the one hand, I don't see why the Civic Society should be allowed to dictate the artistic style and content of such a project.
On the other hand, you have to wonder about the Cheltenham Connect statement that ".. this would be something to catch the eye of people driving past."
Anyone who has driven through this (wonderful) stretch of Bath Road will know that drivers need to concentrate 100% on the task in hand.”
by raidermanuk
Monday, March 11 2013, 8:24AM
“Whilst it's no surprise to me that Cheltenham Civic Society objected, it is a surprise that anyone would actually pay money for it! Although, being a grant, it's other peoples money so it doesn't matter does it?”