A project to improve Maryport’s public realm has been completed, with some artistic new signage bringing a splash of colour to the town.
Alan Roper, one of the town’s artists, has created bespoke images for the new map sign monoliths, as well as lamp post banners which are hung through the shopping streets. He has taken elements of the town’s history, like its architecture and industry, and crafted them into displays with a unique Maryport twist. Each of them has a very subtle ‘M’ at the heart of the design.
Alan’s brief was to ‘celebrate the high street and provide a glimpse of its hidden past’ tying the new public realm improvements together. This has included extensive signage, particularly focused on the journey from the train station, as well as the transformation of the gateway to Senhouse Street and the main shopping area.
Explaining his inspiration, Alan said:
“I see other images within an image - shapes that make up one image can also make up the shape of a second image. The example we see here - a three-dimensional letter 'M' laid on its side, shows a shape which lends itself to the shape of the base of the old Maryport lighthouse. All I had to do was to sit the remainder of the lighthouse on top.
“In a similar way, on another example, the outside 'feet' of the 'M' become the Golden Lion Hotel and the Shipping Brow Gallery - landmarks associated with Maryport. Again, the dark images of the Steamship VIC 96 and Christ Church are placed against the uppermost surface edges of the 'M', to reveal not only the white of the 'M' but a harbourside and walkway surface. The view point is imagined to allow you to look down upon the scene.”
In addition to the new signage, the public realm project includes a new pocket park, restoring an area of derelict land on the corner of Crosby Street and John Street, while new off-street parking bays at the top of Furnace Lane are ideally placed for people to visit the town’s main shopping area.
All the public realm improvements have been managed by Cumberland Council and made possible by Government funding. Maryport is currently undergoing £12 million of regeneration schemes - bringing new attractions, new outdoor spaces, and transforming some of the town’s most historic buildings.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, added:
“I think Alan’s work is fantastic. He has brought together so many key parts of Maryport’s history to create this new artwork - with more colourful displays planned for other regeneration projects in the town too.
“It really brings out Maryport’s personality and history and celebrates the town’s unique past, present and future.”