Internationally recognised street artist Peter Manning, whose murals have become part of the changing face of North Shields, has created the branding for the town’s new indoor market at the Beacon Centre.
Another milestone has been reached in the transformation of the former Wilko building in North Shields, with the unveiling of the new Common Ground branding, designed by North Shields-born artist Peter Manning, better known as Prefab77.
The new identity will represent the indoor market being developed by the Beacon Centre, bringing together independent businesses, vintage traders, artists, makers, creatives and specialist retailers under one roof.
With around 30 independent traders joining the first phase, preparations are continuing for the planned November opening.
And there’s something particularly fitting about a North Shields artist helping to establish the identity of a new destination in the heart of his hometown.
PREFAB77: AN ARTIST WITH NORTH SHIELDS ROOTS
Peter Manning’s work is already familiar to many people across North Shields.
His large-scale murals have become landmarks around the town, contributing to a growing collection of public artworks celebrating its people, history and character.
His artistic journey has taken him far beyond the North East.
Born in North Shields, Manning developed a career in graphic design and fashion, spending time in New York and working with international brands including Esprit, Fila and Calvin Klein.
Influenced by street art, punk culture, printmaking and graphic design, he went on to establish his distinctive mixed-media and stencil-based style.
Despite his international career, North Shields has remained an important part of his work.
In recent years, he has been closely involved in the Elevation mural project, which has helped transform ordinary walls into significant pieces of public art.
FROM THE SIREN TO COMMON GROUND
Among Prefab77’s best-known local works is The Siren, situated on Albion Road.
Created as part of the beginnings of the Elevation mural initiative, the artwork pays tribute to the women who supported the town’s fishing industry and helped sustain generations of families.
The mural became an important early landmark in the North Shields 800 public art programme.
Another of his works, Net Worth, overlooks the Fish Quay from the wall of Lin’s Seafoods.
Featuring a striking fisherman, the mural draws on the town’s maritime heritage while reflecting Manning’s distinctive artistic approach.
His work Angels, at King Street Social Club, is another familiar sight and forms part of a wider creative movement that has brought together artists, musicians and community organisations.
These artworks are not simply decorative additions to buildings. They have become part of the way North Shields presents itself, connecting its working history with contemporary creativity.
I Love North Shields has previously documented Peter’s contribution to the town through its coverage of the Elevation mural project.
Read more:
- The Siren – Prefab77’s Wall Mural for Elevation
- Net Worth – Prefab77’s Wall Mural for Elevation
- Explore the North Shields Art Trail
A NEW IDENTITY FOR A NEW CHAPTER
Common Ground is taking shape inside a building many residents will remember as Wilko, in the heart of North Shields town centre.
The Beacon Centre is developing the former retail space into an indoor market offering opportunities for independent businesses to establish a regular physical presence without necessarily taking on the costs associated with a traditional high street shop.
The first phase is bringing together an eclectic mix of businesses, with vintage clothing, antiques, collectables, jewellery, art, design, independent retail and specialist services among the activities planned.
Some traders are expanding established businesses. Others are moving from occasional markets or online selling into their first permanent retail space.
Each brings a different story, ambition and reason for wanting to be part of the project.
The Common Ground branding provides a shared identity for these independent businesses while allowing each trader to retain their own individual character.
And having that identity created by an artist with such strong connections to North Shields adds another local dimension to the project.
LOCAL CREATIVITY AND INDEPENDENT ENTERPRISE
North Shields has a long history of trade, from the Fish Quay and its maritime industries to the independent shops, markets and businesses that have shaped the town over generations.
Common Ground is intended to create new opportunities for that independent spirit.
The project is also bringing together people from different backgrounds, including established retailers, collectors, makers and individuals taking their first steps into business ownership.
The ambition is to create more than a collection of individual stalls: a place where traders can support one another, share ideas, attract customers and contribute to the town centre.
As the building continues to develop, traders are being encouraged to share their preparations, introduce their businesses and document their journeys towards opening.
These behind-the-scenes stories will offer residents an opportunity to discover the people behind Common Ground before the doors open.
WHO IS BEHIND COMMON GROUND?
Common Ground is a new indoor market being developed by the Beacon Centre, which is responsible for the development of the former Wilko premises.
Trader recruitment and curation are being led independently by Simmie Harper on behalf of the Beacon Centre.
This work involves bringing together a varied mix of independent businesses, identifying potential traders and helping shape the commercial and creative character of the market.
I Love North Shields is the project’s media partner, providing editorial coverage, introducing participating businesses and documenting the transformation of the building.
The roles are separate: I Love North Shields does not operate or manage the indoor market.
Through its dedicated Meet the Traders series, the platform is already publishing individual stories about the people preparing to open businesses at Common Ground.
Meet the Traders – Discover the Businesses Joining Common Ground
FOLLOW THE TRANSFORMATION
With the new branding revealed, more traders preparing their spaces and work continuing inside the building, the next stage of Common Ground is taking shape.
Over the coming weeks, residents can follow the development, discover the businesses joining the market and see how the former Wilko is being given a new purpose.
Common Ground Instagram: @commongroundns
Branding by Prefab77: @prefab77_
Beacon Centre: @beaconcentre
I Love North Shields: @ilovenorthshields
ABOUT COMMON GROUND
Common Ground is a new indoor market being developed by the Beacon Centre inside the former Wilko premises in North Shields.
Trader recruitment and curation are being led independently by Simmie Harper on behalf of the Beacon Centre, bringing together an eclectic mix of independent businesses, creatives, makers and specialist retailers.
I Love North Shields is a media partner, sharing the stories of the traders and documenting the transformation of the space.
Location: Former Wilko, Beacon Centre, North Shields
Opening: Planned for November 2026
Interested in joining Common Ground? Contact simmie@ilovenorthshields.com for information about available spaces and upcoming viewings.
