Mural project could boost tourism, arts group says

Jane Manning said she was inspired by a tunnel in Edinburgh

A charity has said its plans to brighten up two "unloved" railway bridges in Shrewsbury with murals celebrating the town could boost tourism.

The bridges in Shrewsbury are right next to the town's station and have previously been described as "dirty" and "uninviting" by officials.

The Big Art Regeneration and Transformation (BART) charity, has been set up to deliver the murals, with locals encouraged to submit ideas for the artwork on its website.

Founder Jane Manning said she hoped tourists would come out of the station and be greeted by art showing "everything our town has to offer".

Ms Manning said she was inspired by the transformation of Colinton Tunnel in Edinburgh while on holiday there.

"I just thought it would be such a great thing, to put a mural through [our] tunnel," she said.

The project initially received £15,000 from Visa and the British Retail Consortium's Let's Celebrate Towns grant.

Ms Manning said the rest of the money to finance the project would be crowdfunded.

Stephanie Mansell-Jones hopes the mural could draw more people to Shrewsbury

The project is being supported by Shrewsbury Business Improvement District (BID).

Stephanie Mansell-Jones, from the organisation, said the mural could even become its own tourist attraction.

"If [people] are coming into the town, they're spending money, they're spending time in businesses nearby," she said.

Ms Mansell-Jones added that the mural could also "improve safety" in the area with it making the tunnel feel "lighter, brighter, and clean."

"If you improve that first impression of the town, people are more likely to come back for a repeat visit," she said.

Rachael Hooper's business is very close to the mural site

Local businesses have said they are also pleased with the plans.

Rachael Hooper co-owns Bird and Beer, a restaurant just metres away from where the mural will be.

She said it would "be really nice to have something colourful and inviting" on that side of the town.

Ms Hooper reckoned that it would "definitely encourage" more customers, adding that in their current state, the bridges "aren't the best look for your first impression of Shrewsbury".

The cafe Nathan Thorley manages looks out directly towards the railway bridges

Coffee shop Iron and Fire looks out over the underpass - manager Nathan Thorley described it as looking "a little bit of a mess".

"I think this end of town does feel a little bit unloved in some portions," he added, and added the mural "could at least brighten it up and give it a bit more character".

Mr Thorley said the project would "definitely" bring more business to the cafe.

"Having another sight that people can go and see is just a fantastic idea."