Striking mural that links town to the Titanic unveiled on high street

Striking mural that links town to the Titanic unveiled on high street

Scott Wilcock (aka Snow Graffiti) and his mural

An astonishing artwork has been completed in Ashton-in-Makerfield which combines local history with an intriguing link to the Titanic.

Under the ‘Snow Graffiti’ moniker, many of Scott Wilcock’s designs have been created in the borough and the dad-of-three’s latest work is a huge three-storey Titanic mural, located on the side of Andy’s All Day Breakfast café on Gerard Street in Ashton.

With funding secured by Wigan Council through the government’s Local Regeneration Fund, the mural is the first in a series of public artworks set to be installed from 2026 and will complement Ashton’s wider regeneration scheme. Other projects include the creation of a new public square on the historic market site, upgrading high street shop fronts, and improving local streets.

Councillor David Molyneux MBE, Leader of Wigan Council said: “Developed in consultation with local communities, Ashton’s art programme will get people talking and celebrate Ashton’s unique heritage and cultural character.

“Scott's mural is an amazing piece of art, and combined with Ashton’s wider regeneration plans, we hope that the artworks will bring some positivity to the town and encourage people to visit and support town centre businesses.”

After leaving his role as mechanic to follow his artistic passion during the pandemic, Scott has developed a reputation for many incredible portraits and murals across the UK.

Developed in consultation with local communities, the inaugural Ashton mural recognises a century-old ‘ghost sign’ for William Aspinall’s Chemist and the White Star shipping company, which operated the RMS Titanic in 1912.

With residents able to purchase ocean liner tickets from the Ashton-based chemist, the mural commemorates the tragic story of the Titanic - which sunk on its voyage across the Atlantic and resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people - while also incorporating elements of Ashton’s history and heritage.

Using airbrush and graffiti materials, Scott has brought some of the town’s bygone businesses back to life in the striking mural, while also including historical and film references, and depicting characters based on his family and those related to neighbouring café owner Andy Firman.

Born and bred in Ashton, Scott said: “I didn’t realise how much of an impact that some of my murals would have, so I made sure to do my research and include as many references and ‘easter eggs’ as I can on this one.

“Andy (Firman, café owner) has been feeding me throughout the work and loads of people have been stopping to thank me and giving me great feedback. 

“My family are all from Ashton and have lived here all their lives, so it makes me really proud to see this and include them. People have already been travelling here to see it, so I think it will bring more people into Ashton too.”

With the Titanic advert recognised as one of the last remaining ghost signs by the British Titanic Society, work to restore the sign is set to take place in the near future.

For more information, please visit The Ghost Sign of Ashtons Past webpage.