Front Street is an important high street in Acomb, York. It plays a vital role in the community and the wider city and is home to many established and well-loved local independent retailers and community spaces.
There has been a long-standing desire to undertake place making improvements to enhance the economic growth of this shopping area.
In recent years, funding has been received from central government to enhance, develop and support a more resilient high street in Acomb.
Acomb Front Street project updates
Art of Protest completed an extensive programme of engagement events and workshops where they gathered the views and ideas of the local community and gained an understanding of what people would like to see. The feedback was used to inform the design of the mural and bench refurbishment.
8 wooden benches have been transformed with a unique design to reflect links to nature. Each bench is painted with a leaf design from the local woodland.
Art of Protest are also working on a new mural which aims to capture the spirit and sense of community in Acomb. This final piece of artwork is set to be unveiled at the celebration event on Front Street (SNIPS Barbers) on Saturday 22 March from 4.00pm, with a chance to see the new mural, meet the artists and join in with some creative spray paint activities. The event will continue from 6pm at Rise Bluebird Bakery café, where there will be a DJ set and community art exhibition.
Read more about the celebration event, how Art of Protest listened to the community, what people said, and the Street Art Academy on the Art of Protest website.
This art project is part of the wider scheme to improve Front Street and create a more accessible, vibrant, people-friendly space. The council received £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Funding to deliver these phase 2 improvements, which include new seating and planters, improved Blue Badge parking, wide and level pedestrian crossings, wayfinding signs and upgraded public toilets.