New Brighton Creative Futures CIC (NBCF) has announced plans to create a major new mural in tribute to the late Martin Parr, one of Britain’s most influential photographers — and is calling on the public, local businesses and supporters to help bring it to life.
Created in collaboration with the Martin Parr Foundation, the artwork will stand on New Brighton’s seafront — the very stretch of coastline Parr made famous in his 1986 series The Last Resort, a body of work that redefined British documentary photography and placed New Brighton firmly on the cultural map.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DONATE TO THE PROJECT
Martin Parr died in December 2025, aged 73. For New Brighton — the town at the heart of his most celebrated work — the loss was felt deeply. This mural is the community’s way of giving something back: a permanent, world-class artwork that celebrates Parr’s legacy and the town he helped make famous, created with the support and guidance of the Foundation that carries his name.
The tribute will become one of the most significant additions yet to New Brighton’s OpenAir Gallery — a growing, walkable collection of large-scale murals that has made the town a destination for visitors and a source of pride for residents. It will add to the town’s growing reputation as the street atrt capital of the North West.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DONATE TO THE PROJECT
How the public can help
NBCF is inviting donations from the public from today. Supporters can give in two ways: through the project’s GoFundMe campaign, or directly via the NBCF website using a secure card payment as a one-off gift or a monthly donation. Every contribution goes straight towards creating the artwork and the public programme planned around it.
Local and regional businesses are also invited to become sponsors — from supporting sponsor through to the rare opportunity to become one of the mural’s headline naming partners. Full details are available on the project page, or by contacting the team directly. It’s an exciting opportunity to be part of New Brighton’s wonderful street art open air gallery.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DONATE TO THE PROJECT
Rory Wilmer, Creative Director & Founder, New Brighton Creative Futures CIC said: “Martin Parr saw something in New Brighton that the rest of the world had overlooked, and he turned it into some of the most important photographs Britain has ever produced. When he passed away, we felt that loss as a town. This mural is our thank-you — a way to keep him here, on the seafront he loved, for generations to come. We’d be honoured if the people of New Brighton would help us build it.”
Jenni Smith, Director of the Martin Parr Foundation added: “Martin was often asked which photographs he considered his best work, the answer was always the same: the images from The Last Resort. New Brighton, its community and the photographs he made there, always held a special place in his heart. How poignant, that this mural, depicting Martin and his camera, will look out over the New Brighton seafront for many years to come.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DONATE TO THE PROJECT
New Brighton Creative Futures CIC, working in collaboration with the Martin Parr Foundation, has launched a public fundraising campaign for a permanent tribute to the late photographer whose landmark series The Last Resort immortalised the town. People and businesses can get involved today.
New Brighton Creatives CIC / Martin Parr Mural
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO DONATE TO THE PROJECT
Images courtesy of Martin Parr / Magnum Photos
