A LARGE mural, to go above Poundland and Costa, is being planned by Chippen-ham Civic Society, to brighten up the High Street.

The design has not been chosen, but there are three options: an optical illusion of arched columns and people in 3D; a landscape with clouds and trees; or an abstract design.

The designs are to be part-funded by the Civic Society.

Membership secretary Roger Backway said: “We are very keen to improve the current horrible 1960s facade and thought that a mural of some sort covering the top two-storeys would be a considerable improvement.”

The site was once occupied by a Georgian town house, but that was demolished in 1932 and replaced with a preparatory school.

The society has talked to Michael Bryant, development manager of Emery Gate, and Rosalind Robinson, a Chipp-enham mural artist who has had commissions from Devi-zes Museum, the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane and Kansas City Hotel.

She is due to give costings for a complete mural by the end of next month. Eagle One, owner of Emery Gate, has offered to part fund it and it is hoped the rest will come from shop owners.

The mural could either be painted in a studio, or put directly on to the building.

Mr Backway said: “Both options are long-lasting, but it is probably cheaper to fix aluminium panels on to the wall, otherwise it involves much more scaffolding time.”

Examples of the artist’s previous work can be seen at www.rosalind-robinson.co.uk