Community mural project to transform graffiti hot spot in St Helens Town Centre
A vibrant community mural is set to transform a graffiti hot spot in St Helens Town Centre, bringing young people together to create a lasting piece of public artwork while helping tackle recurring vandalism.
Article date: 27 July 2026
The project will see the Tontine Car Park underpass, along Chalon Way West, transformed with a professionally designed mural carrying the message "Welcome to St Helens." Combining supervised graffiti art with a creative community initiative, the scheme aims to improve the local environment, develop young people's skills and foster pride in the borough.
Work on the mural is due to begin on Monday 27 July and is expected to take around three weeks to complete.
The project has been commissioned by St Helens Borough Council and will be delivered by professional mural artist Powered by Hiphop alongside Kingsyze Graffiti, working in partnership with local youth organisations VIBE, REACH and the YMCA.
Around 80 young people have taken part in a series of workshops exploring mural design and local heritage. The final artwork will be co-created with workshop participants under professional supervision, ensuring a high-quality finish and a strong sense of ownership among the young people involved.
Persistent graffiti can contribute to perceptions of neglect and impact the appearance of public spaces. Community-led murals have been shown to discourage vandalism, strengthen local identity and encourage residents to take pride in shared community spaces.
Councillor Sharon Roughley, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said:
"This is a fantastic example of how creativity can be used to address local issues while providing positive opportunities for young people. Rather than simply covering graffiti, we're working with local organisations and talented artists to create something that the community can be proud of.
"The mural will help brighten a key gateway into the town centre, celebrate local identity and give young people the chance to learn new skills, express themselves creatively and leave a positive legacy for others to enjoy."