Work is under way to create the first in a series of murals that are planned to decorate our fine city.

Norwich Evening News: Freelance artists Paul Jennings and Mark Keene work above Pymme and Co on Ber Street on the first of the Norwich BID murals celebrating Norwich's UNESCO world heritage status as a City of Literature.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAYFreelance artists Paul Jennings and Mark Keene work above Pymme and Co on Ber Street on the first of the Norwich BID murals celebrating Norwich's UNESCO world heritage status as a City of Literature.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK)

The colourful painting, which is currently being created on one of the walls of the Pymm & Co building on Ber Street, is part of a street art project being led by Norwich BID (Business Improvement District).

The idea takes its inspiration from cities in the United States such as Pittsburgh, where ageing architecture has been turned into a canvas for artists.

The plan is for the murals to link up with the City of Stories campaign - which aims to attract more visitors to the city and to encourage locals to enjoy what's on their doorstep - and celebrate Norwich's status as a UNESCO City of Literature.

While the complete design for the first mural is planned to be kept under wraps until the project's official launch on April 14, passers by can see that images of some Norwich's independent shops are being incorporated into the painting. They appear to include Soundclash, Jarrold and The Book Hive among others.

The design has been created by Norwich University of the Arts graduate Poppy Cole and the mural is being put in place by Gorleston-based 3D Creations.

Martin Blackwell, business and operations manager for Norwich BID, said: 'It is going to be completed and launched in April and at that time we will be announcing new sites and a competition for people to submit designs.

'What we are trying to do with the first mural is illustrate the quality of design that we are looking for across the city.'

The first mural is being painted on a Grade II listed building and so listed building consent had to be granted by Norwich City Council to allow it to go ahead. Prior to this the Norwich Society had voiced concerns.

The society's trustees had stated: 'The society's overall concern would be about compromising historic buildings and conservation areas and introducing even more visual clutter than already exists.'

Do you have a Norwich arts story? Email arts correspondent Emma Knights at emma.knights@archant.co.uk