Chip-Snatching Seagulls Bring Color and Fun to Taunton's Walls

Taunton town center has become much more colorful thanks to a series of new murals that have appeared on its walls. The most talked-about mural features giant seagulls swooping down to snatch chips, painted on a two-storey wall that was once plain and white. Now, the wall is a vibrant blue, with large chips falling and seagulls flying in to grab them. This mural is the third and final piece in a project designed to bring more color and excitement to the Independent Quarter near St James' Street, an area known for its independent shops. Local traders came together to raise £6,500 to fund the murals, and artist Sam Gaden from Aerosol Art was chosen to create the designs. He said that painting chip-stealing seagulls was the perfect choice for the side of a chip shop, and the mural has quickly become popular both in Taunton and online, even catching the attention of the Seagull Appreciation Society.

The project includes more than just the seagull mural. The wall next to My Carbon Coach, a health food shop, now features a painted flower garden. The mural is full of bright colors, with pink, yellow, white, and purple flowers, butterflies, and a touch of grey sky. Susie Thomas, the shop owner, explained that their area is often overlooked because it is off the main shopping streets. She hopes the murals will attract more visitors and bring some much-needed interest and color to the neighborhood. She described the reaction to the murals as 'nuts,' saying that they are making people smile and encouraging them to stop and look.

Nicky's Flower Studio also received a mural, with giant white, red, and pink flowers painted on the side of the building against a dark background. The murals have sparked a lot of interest, with people taking photos and sharing them online. The project has helped to brighten up Taunton and make it a more welcoming place. In nearby Burnham-on-Sea, a new mural has been painted above the entrance to Eastover Indoor Shopping Centre. This mural features a red train, two cowboys on horses, fireworks, and a colorful fairground ride, adding even more excitement to the area. The murals are part of a wider effort to make local towns more attractive and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.