Mossley Station, Manchester, features a new exhibition by a local artisan signwriter.

A new exhibition by Robert Walker, who works under the moniker Signs By Umberto, is inspired by the history of the town’s high street. It forms part of a day of celebrations called Up Our Street, organised by Mossley carnival arts organisation Global Grooves.

For his exhibition, Robert has drawn inspiration from the vintage signage and advertising typography of Mossley’s local retailers through the ages, including long-gone butchers shops, photography studios and drapers.

There will be 11 intricate sets of panels featuring his work fitted along the platform and in the station waiting room.

The signwriter, who is a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, hopes the exhibition will bring the feel of a bustling olden day’s high street to the station.

Robert said: “I take inspiration from craftsmanship that spans generations, lettering that is rooted within our heritage and carved into our architectural and industrial past.

“I find it deeply fascinating that as we research projects via black and white photography, that in actual fact the high street wasn’t black and white but bursting with colour.

“Each sign would depict an air of social class, advertising the goods on sale and denoting social progression through the form of lettering and the colour used to illuminate the sign.”

Our Street, a day-long celebration of the local high street, is supported by the Welcome Back Fund, which provides councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets after the pandemic.

https://www.signsbyumberto.co.uk