Decision

To support the Council's ongoing Street Art Project with the aim of cleaning up run down areas of the town centre, the Economic Development team is supporting the Guildford Festival of the Arts (1-4 October) with a town centre mural. The mural is being painted by the artist Nathalie Scott onto the pillars under the Friary Bridge on the Friary Passage side of the river. This forms a continuation of the murals painted throughout the Friary Passage in the summer so pedestrians have pleasant walk along the riverbank footpath. The area under the bridge was suffering from a graffiti issue, making the area feel run down. All the pillars had been vandalised but we hope the murals will make the area feel brighter and the graffiti will be much reduced in the future. This project is part of the Festival of the Arts art trail around the town and visitors will be able to help to paint the mural with Nathalie.
This project is paid for from the Economic Development budget.

Reasons for the decision

To improve town centre areas that are suffering from graffiti or vandalism and anti social behaviour. To brighten run down areas and to support the Guildford Festival of the Arts.

Alternative options considered

We considered appointing street artists but did not go ahead because using spray can paint would have meant closing the footpath. This mural will be done using masonry paint which does not need PPE / breathing apparatus or closure of the footpath to pedestrians. This was the safe option so that we could involve the public during the Festival.