John McGuinness mural will be big draw for Morecambe

Morecambe’s motorcycle ace can’t wait to be immortalised in a new tourist attraction for the town.
John McGuinness in action.John McGuinness in action.
John McGuinness in action.

John McGuinness is excited at plans for a giant collage paying tribute to his exploits in the Isle of Man TT races.

The new John McGuinness mural on the wall of a Morecambe barber shop is part of a project called Victoria Press.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Artists will tell the story of Morecambe’s history in a series of artworks on the walls of Victoria Street buildings.

The idea is to transform the look of the town centre and create a heritage attraction to pull people into Morecambe.

Images of John, known as ‘The Morecambe Missile’, will be etched on the side of Colin Brown’s hairdressers.

They will be drawn by London-based illustrator Ben Tallon.

Organisers hope the mural will be a big draw for motorbike fans on their way to the Isle of Man for the annual TT race meeting.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The designer has been round to my house with some ideas and it’s going to be really cool,” said the 23-times TT race winner.

“It would be great if it could be done in time for the TTs next May.”

The painting of ‘Morecambe Missile’ John, and others in the project, will be created in the style of a newspaper page as a nod to Victoria Street as the former home of The Visitor.

Elena Gifford of Deco Publique, co-ordinators of the project, said: “It’s really important to us that John likes it. He’s been really good at giving us advice and he’s been so supportive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s going to help us promote that area to the thousands of people who come to Morecambe.”

As part of the project, Morecambe artist Shane Johnstone is also working on a huge piece of artwork in the windows of the derelict St Laurence’s Church on Victoria Street.

“This will be a series of abstract stories about the old Morecambe fairground and illuminations,” said Elena.

“We couldn’t believe how big the church windows are. You will be able to see this artwork from the bottom of Victoria Street from the car park.

“I think it’s going to be incredible.”

Manchester artist Mark Kennedy is also working on mosaics and there will also be a mural called ‘Sands and Seas’.

Weather permitting, work will begin in the new year.