NEW outdoor artwork by Basingstoke artists will bring a splash of colour to the town centre, starting later this spring.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) has commissioned the bright murals for locations around three key entrances to The Malls to improve how they look for visitors and residents.

Created by artists Fátima Pantoja and Sian Storey, the new wall art will extend the popular Streets Alive project, which aimed to create an outdoor art gallery on items like benches and planters in Basingstoke town centre.

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New lighting and signs will also brighten the area and welcome visitors to the town centre and make it easier for them to find their way around.

The initiative is part of a wider project to breathe new life into the town centre, that aims to enhance the environment and provide a mix of shopping, leisure activities, workspaces and urban living to keep the town thriving.

Cllr John Izett, cabinet member for property and finance congratulated both Fátima and Sian for using their talents to create such colourful and interesting works of art. 

Basingstoke Gazette: Initial sketch by Sian Storey.Initial sketch by Sian Storey. (Image: Sian Storey)

He added: "These artworks will enliven one of the gateways to our town and will be a first step in the masterplan to transform the town centre. We are working on longer term projects to reimagine the town centre, including more traditional streets, more parks and enhanced cultural and leisure places to increase its vibrancy and prosperity.”

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The masterplan aims to maintain the town’s position as a key regional town centre by attracting new visitors and a range of businesses and community projects to a rejuvenated town centre.

Find out more at basingstoke.gov.uk/towncentrefuture