Facilitated by the government’s Welcome Back Fund, as part of a major reopening programme taking place across the borough to aid economic recovery, the council put out a tender for a window vinyl project.

What was produced?

Signs 24-7, based in the Cheshire village of Hartford, was awarded the work and designed, manufactured and installed a range of graphics that now feature in the window spaces of empty commercial units across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, and Winsford.

A total of 212 graphics were produced for the job; 60 for Northwich, 58 for Chester, 50 for Winsford, and 44 for Ellesmere Port.

What did the job entail?

The business was required to work with the localities and regeneration teams, and other partners, to agree the units to be included in the programme and to develop engaging artwork that was relevant to each area.

“Once the final designs were chosen, our senior creative had to intricately set up the artwork for printing due to the different shapes and panel widths of the windows across the empty commercial units,” said Signs 24-7 director Wendy Batey-Gray.

Drytac Air Release in 80mic, supplied by Antalis, was used for the job because of its ease of application and its longevity in both internal and external settings. The company used its HP Latex 560 printer to produce the graphics, which were then finished on a SummaCut D160 vinyl cutter and a Mistral 1650-65 laminator.

The production work was completed in December, with the installation of the graphics carried out over a four-week period.

“We feel as though the graphics inject vibrancy across the high streets where they have been installed and hope people take some time to check them out on their visits at each location,” said Batey-Gray.

What challenges were overcome?

The knock-on implications of some of the company’s installers testing positive for Covid was the biggest challenge but it was able to reschedule jobs and reallocate resources effectively.

What was the feedback?

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The eye-catching murals link in with each location’s heritage and community spirit while also adding colourful and vibrant tones for passers-by to enjoy.

“I hope these graphics help to connect residents and visitors with the places they live, work and spend their leisure time in.”