Ilfracombe's Market Arches

The Market Arches off Ilfracombe High Street has been given a bright new look thanks to a team effort from the arches' owner, Community Development workers, Ilfracombe and District Market and Coastal Towns Initiative, North Devon District Council and Transform. The arches have been repaired, repainted, given new lighting and new community arts murals.

New lighting, incorporating both traditional Victorian-style lights and bright floodlighting designed to enhance the visual attractiveness of the archway and deter anti-social behaviour and vandalism, was provided by North Devon District Council and the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative.

The community arts project was a joint venture between Claire Gulliver the Community Development worker, and the Transform team. A professional community artist worked with local people to explore ideas and designs for the archway and conduscted a series of workshops to create the murals. Transform supplied £1000, and Claire Gulliver found extra funding to make the project happen. The old plaques found a new home down at the harbourside, where they have been much admired.

Ilfracombe Rotary, High Street Traders and local builders volunteered to paint the Market Arches in June 2005, with paint donated from B&Q, Hele Bay Building Supplies, The Build Centre and Handyman’s Supplies.