Bruce Grove gets a makeover

A stunning new wall mural marks the beginning of wider plans to revamp the area
By Alice Kemp-Habib

The mural wraps around the wall lining the pedestrian pathway connecting Holcombe Road to Stoneleigh Road. Credit: Stephen Furner

A new mural celebrating the identity of Bruce Grove has been created in Holcomb Road.

The colourful artwork was designed by nine young people from Bruce Grove Youth Space, whose names were incorporated into the final piece. It was then painted by 19 volunteers from the local community alongside artists Matt Dosa and Anna Nicolo (both of whom recently designed murals in Wood Green).

This comes as part of a council-led initiative, Pride in Bruce Grove, to enliven public spaces in the town centre. It is the first of several planned projects in the area, which aim to make Bruce Grove greener and safer, while providing opportunities and support for local communities and businesses.

Following consultation with locals, the alleyway behind Scotland Green is set to be revamped with planters, gobo lighting and signposts to local green spaces, too. Meanwhile, a glass-tiled mosaic is planned for the wall below Bruce Grove Railway Bridge.

The mosaic has been designed by four members of the community in collaboration with Anna, and is intended to be an ‘ideological map’ celebrating the diversity and history of the area. The tapestry-style mosaic includes nods to Walter Tull – a former Tottenham resident and one of English football’s first Black players – as well as historic buildings such as Bruce Castle. Anna said: “I had a great time installing the [Holcomb Road] mural, working alongside Matt Dosa, community volunteers and young people from the Bruce Grove Youth Space.

“As a local artist and resident I found the project very rewarding and I am very grateful for the opportunity to create an artwork for my own neighbourhood. I am really looking forward to the installation of the mosaic under Bruce Grove Railway Bridge.”

A floor mural is planned for the crossing outside Bruce Grove Station, however this has been paused while TfL assesses its potential impact on pedestrians and road users. The council has been granted planning permission to install the mosaic under the bridge at Bruce Grove Station, and is obtaining final Network Rail approvals in order to progress.

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