Blank walls are hard to find in Bristol. Street art is the heart and soul of our city and for those of us who work around these spaces, it’s a reminder that they can be more than just places to put posters or advertising. They can support artists, reflect local culture and contribute to the visual identity of a neighbourhood.
Graffiti and street art didn’t come from galleries. It came out of underground culture, tied closely to hip hop, self-expression and communities, finding ways to be seen without needing to be invited. It’s raw, it’s sometimes messy and that’s exactly why people connect with it.
A wall doesn’t have to be one thing. It can change, evolve and reflect the people who live around it. A once blank space suddenly has a point of view. It sparks conversation. People notice it.
Outdoor advertising and street art have always shared the same canvas. Walls, streets, public space. The difference is usually who gets permission and who doesn’t. You might have already seen a fresh mural that quietly appeared on a familiar stretch of hoarding in St. Werburghs, Bristol.
We love working with local artists, especially when it’s done in a way that feels respectful to both the space and the surrounding community. For us, it’s about creating opportunities where artwork can exist with consent, rather than being removed or painted over. These collaborations aren’t about taking over or commercialising street art - they’re about recognising the value it already brings to places like Bristol, by opening up new spaces and finding ways to support it responsibly.
In practice, that means certain sites we manage lend themselves to something more creative than just posters. Depending on the location and the context, a hoarding might become a shared space — part poster, part canvas. It’s not about encouraging random tagging but about being intentional with how a space is curated and working with the community to shape it.
There’s also something important in giving artists room to interpret a space in their own way. Not everything needs heavy branding or a clear message. Sometimes the best thing a wall can do is reflect the character of the area it sits in, adding something back to the street rather than just taking attention from it.
Ultimately, it’s a balance. These are still working advertising spaces, but they’re also part of the everyday landscape. By collaborating with artists in a considered, agreed way, there’s an opportunity to make them feel less like wasted spaces and more like part of the city — something people notice, enjoy, and maybe even feel a bit of ownership over.
And as we head into the brighter, busier months, it feels like the perfect time to keep adding a bit more colour — not just with posters but with art too. Have you seen the mural? What do you think?
