PUBLIC artworks will soon be popping up across Weymouth town centre – in the hope of putting a smile on people’s faces.

Among the sites chosen is the brick walls of the octagonal public loo at Overcombe Corner which will feature the wildlife of the Lodmoor Nature Reserve on the opposite side of the road, assuming Dorset Council grants planning permission.

To view the pieces of artwork, click on the interactive gallery above

The proposal has been submitted by Weymouth Town Council.

The other sites are Greenhill Gardens Café, Weymouth Library, the gable wall to the former New Look store, the alley alongside St Mary’s Church; the council beach storage building; the gable end of 24 Trinity Road; a wall of the Red Lion pub; the WOEC store at the start of the Stone Pier and the town council store at Nothe Gardens.

The murals will become part of a trail or artwork at ten locations in the area which Weymouth Town Council is working on with Weymouth Business Improvement District (BID). Ten wall spaces have been identified around the town with the Dorset Arts Development Company commissioned as a consultant to help deliver the project.

The brief, which is aimed at residents as well as visitors, is for the art to be inspirational to people of all ages and backgrounds: “We want the trail to bring people together and make people smile on a daily basis adding colour to their life, with the images creating talking points and a positive buzz about the town and on social media spreading its reach well beyond just Weymouth.”

Each of the artworks will have a QR code which people can scan to find out more about the artwork and the artist.

Said a statement with the application for planning consent at Overcombe: “Although the building is an interesting shape, the lack of windows and expanse of brickwork are not particularly attractive. It is on these elevations that 2 mural boards are proposed.”

A Dorset Council planning case officer says the project has been offered pre-application advice with each location being considered. It is thought all will be given planning consent.

“Overall it is considered that the project would have a positive contribution to the town centre. In particular it is considered that the proposals would contribute positively to the aims of the Weymouth Town Centre Strategy set out in policy WEY1 by contributing to the creation and support of an attractive public realm, improving first impressions of the area and providing support for a thriving town centre,” said senior planning officer, Thomas Wild.

Further details of the Overcombe proposals, and of the other sites, can be seen on the Dorset Council website, with public comments open until April 25.