At the side of the BHS store in Merseyway are five concrete panels depicting local people, events and symbols. Commissioned by BHS in 1978 – To fill space on the blank wall at the side of the shop.
They are the work of Joyce Pallot 1912-2004 and Henry Collins, 1910-1994 – two artist/designers, who along with John Nash, established the Colchester Art Society, during the 1930s.
Their work was featured in the Festival of Britain, GPO Tower and Expo 70, along with other retail outlets in Southampton, Newcastle, Gloucester, Bexhill and Colchester.
Festival of Britain – their mural is to the left of the pavilion
Gloucester
The Murals, BHS Stockport and Merseyway have an uncertain future, SHMBC applied for listing, this was refused. On the other sites illustrated, restoration and preservation has been undertaken.
I do hope that these works of national and international importance are not placed under threat. We have already lost too much post-war public art – we all deserve better.
Modern Mooch 
These are magnificent works of art, surely if they were offered to museums, art galleries or libraries, someone somewhere would be interested? I do hope so, it would be very sad to see them disappear forever.
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They are currently on prominent and public display Sue and hopefully will remain so, there is some doubt as to the future of the site, but under no immediate threat. I hope that they will continue to be part of the Merseyway site whatever the future holds.
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