Swindon town centre mural will go ahead

As part of its ongoing ‘Keep Swindon Clean and Tidy Campaign’, inSwindon BID has teamed up with Artsite on its latest project – the town centre mural. Last month, inSwindon BID announced the ‘My Town, My World’ concept that was due to revealed later this month on the Aspen House hoarding on Regent Street.

Since the start of the project, developments have taken place where Swindon Borough Council has made significant progress in selling the development site. With this in mind, and to ensure longevity of the mural, inSwindon BID and the Council are working together to source an alternative location in the town centre. inSwindon BID continue to work with Artsite and the project team to ensure the ‘My Town, My World’ visual will have maximum impact for the town.

The new location for the mural will be revealed once the site has been signed-off by the Council.

Di Powell, inSwindon BID CEO, commented: “The mural at Aspen House was always a temporary measure, until the development was sold, and we could move the hoarding to an alternative location. Progress on the sale of the site has been far quicker than we expected, and it means that we’re moving forward with finding the mural’s permanent location ahead of schedule, to ensure its longevity.

“Despite the project not going ahead at Aspen House, the mural will still happen in the town centre. inSwindon BID has invested in the project and will continue to work with Swindon Borough Council on alternative locations and we’re in regular communication with Artsite and the artists to ensure the concept works at the new location.

“The recent progress the Council has made on the development site is positive news for the town centre as it demonstrates that businesses want to invest in Swindon.”

Councillor Dale Heenan, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for the town centre, said: “I would like to thank inSwindon BID and Artsite for the tremendous amount of hard work that has gone in to this art installation.

“I have seen the proposed artwork and it looks fantastic. The former Aspen House site has had hoardings around it for a long time, and therefore it made perfect sense to host the Artsite mural.

“I am very pleased that the sale of this prominent site in the town centre has accelerated and an announcement on its future will be made shortly. It is crucial that visible progress in town centre regeneration is made and, as a result of the sale, this site is no longer suitable for the mural.

“I am very keen for the Council to continue working with inSwindon BID and Artsite to find a more appropriate home as soon as possible.”

If you’d like more information on the mural, or how to get involved, please contact Rachael Youd on 01793 485 523.