Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith is supporting plans to develop a programme of public art and murals in Withington village.

The aim of ‘Withington Walls’ is to replace the unsightly graffiti in the district centre and transform some of Withington’s unloved walls and shutters into pieces of art the community can be proud of.

The venture is a joint project between the newly established traders’ group We Are Withington and the Withington Village Regeneration Partnership, who recently commissioned the mural of Peter Saville at the top of Barbican Street.  The artwork will be primarily done by Manchester artists and there will be input from local schools.

Speaking about the project, Jeff said:

“Withington, like many district centres, could do with some much-needed rejuvenation, and I’ve proposed that a project brightening up the unsightly shop front shutters would be a great way to help this.

“Withington has a unique history and the district centre could represent this and bring the identity of the area to life.  Withington Walls is a great community initiative to improve and bring some creativity to the district centre and I would encourage local residents to get behind it.”

To get Withington Walls underway there is a Crowdfunder for local residents and businesses to donate to the project.