Ipswich: Rare Carr Street Co op mural given Grade II status

The 'Harvest' mural, situated at the back of the derelict Co-op department store on Carr Street in Ipswich, is one of only four surviving large-scale English Co-op murals created in the 50s and 60s.

This piece, created by Hungarian artists, Gyula Bajó and Endre Hevezi, between 1963 and 1964, comprises thousands of colourful square mosaic tiles, depicting the Greek mythology characters of Demeter, goddess of the harvest and the messenger Hermes.

This mural listing comes thanks to an application made by local campaigner Beren Reid to Historic England and C20 Society.

C20 Society, started a murals campaign in 2009 to save murals around the country.

This is the latest in a list of upwards of 30 murals nationally listed.

The mosaic to the left is on the back of the Co-operative department store building, above Cox Street. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

They and Historic England worked to preserve the piece of art due to its historical and architectural interest when they became aware of a planning application in 2021, requesting to demolish the building so a new primary school can be built there.

While this demolition can still go ahead due to the building not being listed, the mural will now be preserved.

A spokesperson for C20 Society said: "We are absolutely thrilled that this piece of history is going to be preserved.

"It's really important that pieces like these are preserved, and now, with the potential to demolish the department store, there could be scope for the relocation of the mural elsewhere in the town.

"I think people have a real affection and a love for these sorts of things, they tell stories, and are important pieces of local heritage."

The mosaic has become Grade II Listed. Credit: Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)