A NEW colourful arts project is set to bring streets in Basingstoke’s Top of the Town to life this spring.

Supporting the borough’s economic recovery and encouraging people to return to the town centre, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is working with local artists to brighten the area with a series of colourful artwork.

Artists Liam Kelleher, Corinne Marsh, Kev Munday, Sian Storey, Rachel Davis, Jacky Purtill and Laura Messin will transform street furniture with vibrant designs as part of a new trail of street art throughout the town centre.

SEE MORE: Council criticised for failing to work with businesses to improve Top of Town

Cllr Rebecca Bean, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and leisure, said: “As well as bringing our town’s historic heart to life, this project aims to get people to take a few minutes out of their day to stop and appreciate a series of fantastic and colourful pieces of art which will celebrate the very best of our borough.

“We are extremely lucky to have a number of talented artists and I am delighted that we have been able to work with them on this project to showcase their talents and help put Basingstoke on the street arts map alongside places such as Southampton and Winchester.”

The news comes after the Gazette previously launched the Basingstoke Deserves Better campaign – which called for urgent action to improve the town centre area .

Since then business owners have spoken about some of the problems at the Top of Town.

In a nod to Basingstoke’s past, present and future, benches will also be brought to life with poems and illustrations to celebrate the town’s history, notable people, buildings and biodiversity with words by Josh Dixon, Rebecca Lyon and Lydia Thomson and illustrations by Laura Fisher and Fatima Pantoja.#

READ MORE: Emotional residents over the moon after halfway house plans rejected

In partnership with TrailTale, a new digital walking trail will also launch later this spring where visitors to the town centre will be able to enjoy the new series of colourful artwork.

The projects have been made possible through funding from Arts Council England, the Government’s Welcome Back Fund and in partnership with Openreach.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story. We really appreciate your support.

Please help us to continue bringing you all the trusted news from your area by sharing this story or by following our Facebook page.