PLANS are underway to explore creating legal graffiti spaces in Newquay, to help reduce tagging in the town centre.

Newquay BID is working with Cornwall Council, Newquay Town Council and Your Art Connect to explore the creation of a legal graffiti space at Trenance Park near the climbing frame.

The aim is to give artists a place to create, legally and positively, which it is hoped will help reduce graffiti appearing in the town centre.

It follows a spate of tagging on various buildings in the town centre, which has led to concerns being raised that the graffiti makes Newquay look “unsightly”.

BID manager Mark Warren said: “If the legal graffiti space works well, we will look at expanding similar spaces to other areas in the future.”

Newquay BID is also working with partners from Cornwall Council, Newquay Town Council and Cornwall Probation Service to focus on reducing tagging in key areas of the town centre.

Mr Warren said: “The focus will be on locations with a high level of tagging.

“We know we won’t be able to stop everything, but by working together and taking a balanced approach we hope we can make a real difference.

“We are also continuing conversations with local artists and youth culture groups around skate and graffiti, because we strongly believe that by working together as a community we can achieve much more.

“Creativity means different things to different people.

“We often hear mixed views on murals some people love them, some prefer certain styles over others but overall, they are creating interest, colour and conversation around the town, and helping to bring more people into Newquay.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing these projects develop.

“Art, culture and creativity are a big part of Newquay’s future.”