NEGLECTED areas in Newquay town centre are being spruced up ahead of the busy summer season to help attract footfall.

Signwriter Jess Wallwork, aka A Scribe Called Jess, is creating a bright, beachy wayfinding mural on the wall at Beach Parade.

The aim of the artwork is to increase the number of people visiting the Towan Beach Triangle area and highlight the range of interesting businesses there.

Newquay BID commissioned the mural after securing funding from the Town Deal.

The black ironwork railings along the parade have also been improved after the business community, with support from Newquay BID, submitted a joint application for funding.

Many businesses were also able to access shopfront improvement funding.

BID manager Mark Warren said: “The area needed a bit of an uplift and so we talking to businesses who said maybe flags and then the idea of a wayfinding mural was put forward.

“The parade wall has looked unloved for a long time and it’s a natural viewpoint looking down to Towan Beach. This corner of Newquay can be missed by following the crowds so hopefully the improvements will help attract people to the area.

“The bright beachball mural on Unity and Emoceanl’s new sign and awning have also made Gover Lane look bright and fresh.”

Abigail Hubbucks from Newquay BID, who co-ordinated the project, added: “I was approached by Ellie Sinclair, manager of The Pagan Arms in Beach Road, who asked for improved signage to this diverse and interesting corner of Newquay. With the MUQY street-art project and the grubby appearance of the wall at the top of the road, this seemed like the best solution.

“I’m very grateful to Newquay Town Team for funding the work and to Jess for her creativity and thorough repairs to the wall before the painting could take place.”

Ellie Sinclair from The Pagan Arms said: “We are really excited about the new painting advertising all of the incredible independent businesses alongside The Pagan Arms on Beach Road.

“We had previously gone unnoticed, especially during the quieter seasons, as we are hidden from the busy high street.

“Most of the businesses are independent and have to work incredibly hard behind the scenes to welcome new folks through our doors.

“Having this sign will really encourage foot traffic down towards us. Thank you to Newquay BID for making this happen.”

Andy Cole from Newquay Town Team said: “We are proud to have invested in the Towan Beach Triangle. From tending to the gardens here and enabling businesses to improve their shopfronts, to funding this eye-catching mural, which will encourage people to explore this area.”

Newquay BID has installed colour-changing uplighting to enhance the cliffs behind the harbour businesses, which has been funded through the Town Deal initiative.

The business body has also been working with Cornwall Council to spruce up the archway leading to Newquay Train Station ahead of a mural being created.

The mural, which will be funded by Great Western Railway, is due to celebrate the history of the train station. The artwork will be delivered by Jack Tierney from Slapdash Studio and will become part of Newquay’s street art trail.

Newquay BID has submitted a funding application to create more murals around the town.