There has been a lot of conversation recently about the future of our high streets. Andy Burnham continues to speak about the importance of thriving town centres, while Mary Portas has spent years championing the idea that our high streets should be places people enjoy spending time in—not simply places to shop.

The Government’s latest plans echo these ideas too, focusing on supporting independent businesses, improving shopfronts, bringing empty units back into use and restoring pride in our local communities.

This is exactly why I love creating public artwork for high streets.

Last year I had the opportunity to be part of the Hyde Art Trail, creating illustrated windows for independent businesses across the town. The response was far greater than I ever imagined. It wasn’t simply about making windows look attractive. It became a conversation starter. It encouraged people to stop, look around, notice businesses they had walked past for years and rediscover Hyde.

The impact was immediate, too many positive feed back to mention here’s an insight,

Nicola from The local pet shop told me:

“The amount of people commenting on the window artwork has been amazing. The window art has really connected the businesses together. People have noticed the artwork more than before and it’s made Hyde a better town.”

Helen founder of ‘ Pampered Paws’ dog groomers, the artwork transformed how people saw the business.

“It’s brightened our street up, it’s brightened our salon up. People coming out of the doctor’s surgery across the road have said, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you were here.’ We’ve gained new customers. People have even spotted us from the bus, rung up and booked their dogs in. Since the artwork went on the windows, we’ve had lots of people popping in saying they never knew we were here.”

One of the most moving pieces of feedback came from Healthy Hyde Medical Centre.

Sam explained:

“It makes the day a little bit brighter. For people struggling with their mental health, seeing the artwork on the way into the medical centre has a positive impact on patients and staff. It’s different from the norm.”

For Abu, from Appliances who has owned his appliance shop for over fifteen years, the artwork helped people notice the business all over again.

“People had got used to us being here and didn’t notice us anymore. Since having the artwork, it’s brightened up the shop front and created new interest.”

These comments show something incredibly important.

Creativity doesn’t just decorate a place—it changes how people experience it.

It encourages curiosity.

It creates conversations.

It gives independent businesses greater visibility.

It makes people smile.

It gives communities something to feel proud of.

The success of the Hyde Art Trail led Tameside Council to commission me for a second phase of window illustrations, bringing even more businesses into the project.

For me, this is the kind of work I want to do more of.

I love helping high streets tell their stories through illustration. I love supporting independent businesses, encouraging people to shop locally and creating artwork that makes someone pause for a moment, smile and perhaps discover a business they’ve never noticed before.

Our high streets face many challenges, but they also hold enormous potential.

A thriving town centre isn’t built by shops alone. It’s created through community, creativity, independent businesses and spaces that people genuinely enjoy visiting.

If a simple illustrated window can help brighten someone’s day, encourage new customers through a door and make people feel proud of their town again, then that’s a project worth creating.

Because our high streets deserve to thrive—and our communities deserve places they’re proud to call their own.