Report by Judith Coyle
Two Morecambe artists’ town centre murals are attracting visitors and uplifting residents while the town awaits Eden Project development. The works will become part of an official town trail.
Matty Green, with friend and colleague, Harry Clayton Mills, has been transforming Morecambe’s ‘shadow promenade’ of alleys that lie behind the main promenade. These alleyways lead to shops, including many independent retailers, restaurants and cafes.
“Morecambe promenade itself has received lots of investment but because I work in the heart of town I see on a daily basis what needs to be done to uplift that,” said Matty, a tattoo artist at The Shadow Gallery Tattoo Studio on Queen Street.
“I began my street art at Morecambe skatepark and then within the Poulton district,” said the self-taught artist.
Matty took his idea of large, vibrant murals for Morecambe town centre to a Morecambe BID meeting.
“I told them: ‘Morecambe’s still in black and white. Let’s bring in the colour!’ They seized the opportunity.”
He explained: “Increasing the number of uplifting elements in our town will encourage people to treat it well. These improvements will attract more visitors, hopefully leading to new shops opening and new activities.”
John O’Neill, Morecambe BID manager said: “These murals join Morecambe’s 100-plus artworks in the town centre and along the promenade. The project is part of our strategy to become ‘Eden ready’. The town must transition from a seasonal resort to a year-round destination.”
The first mural, behind The Old Pier Bookshop, Marine Road Central, appeared suddenly in February. It features Matty’s huge chip-eating seagull alongside Harry’s black and white rendition of Morecambe’s ‘Birdman’.
Harry, aka ‘Barry Chills’, trained in Illustration at the University of Brighton. His art celebrates popular culture and the British seaside, especially his hometown, Morecambe. His solo exhibition ‘The Faith and The Fury’ at Prism Contemporary, Blackburn, focused on Morecambe resident and former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, reflecting his fascination with local characters.
Harry said: “I often spoke to John Wilkinson, the Birdman of Morecambe, as he fed birds around town. In 2015 he was sent to prison for six weeks for breaching an ASBO that forbade him from feeding pigeons due to perceived health risks. There was a campaign for his release and he appeared in a Channel 5 documentary. I was deeply saddened when John died in November 2022. I’ll continue to honour him in my work.”
Other Matty Green town centre murals include a cat and dolphins off Pedder Street, a cosmic pigeon off Skipton Street, an RNLI cartoon character on Victoria Street, and a dog mural off Euston Road.
Paul Duerden, visiting from Bristol, said: “The chip thief captures a seaside scene we can all relate to. Bristol attracts visitors from across the world with its street art. With murals like this there is no reason Morecambe can’t too.”
Matty said: “Morecambe BID can only commission murals in the town centre. That’s why I’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign to bring the colour and uplift to Morecambe’s West End. If we band together we can make this town a real hotspot.”
Phase Two of Morecambe BID’s town centre project, using other artists who have a local connection, is currently underway.