Welcome to the
Sidney Street Mural
We’ve created a new heritage mural in the heart of Whitechapel inspired by the places, people and events that have helped shape our diverse community, past and present.
Unveiled by Sir Ian McKellen on 12th April 2025, the Whitechapel Stories mural extends across a large wall on Sidney Street (just south of the Sidney Square-Clark Street junction), bringing colour and life to a previously blank canvas.
To inform the content and design of the mural, our project team – led by John’s Place Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, working in partnership with Walk East and Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives – ran a series of history workshops and a community heritage day. Artist Frank Creber then worked with local schools and community groups to develop and refine his design.
We hope you enjoy taking a closer look at our mural – whether in person or online – and reading the Whitechapel Stories booklet which brings together the stories depicted in it.
A huge THANK YOU to the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for enabling this project; we really appreciate your support.
our story
01 COMMUNITY
Our project was community-led and provided a focal point to broaden and deepen bonds between residents and local groups involved in uncovering our shared heritage and creating a public artwork in celebration of who we are. Older generations hold living memories of important historical moments, and we wanted to capture these while we still can.
02 DIVERSITY
The mural, and the research we gathered, will promote understanding of the past in the context of today’s Whitechapel. The project has fostered a sense of pride in the rich cultural make-up of our neighbourhood. Bringing together a range of people from different ethnicities, cultures and faiths demonstrated how our part of Tower Hamlets is a welcoming and inclusive community to all.
03 history
From the Siege of Sidney Street to the Battle of Brick Lane, from rag trade workshops to life sciences laboratories, Whitechapel is a unique London neighbourhood at the forefront of social change and cultural exchange. Over centuries, rural migrants, Huguenot, Irish, Jewish, Bengali, Somali and other communities have come to the area seeking refuge or a new life. Many historical figures have made their mark here too, such as matron Eva Luckes at the Royal London Hospital, Salvation Army founders William and Catherine Booth, and renowned campaigner Max Levitas, who lived on our estate.
04 legacy
Our project has created a lasting legacy that preserves community heritage and provides a focal point for community identity. As well as creating the Sidney Street mural itself, we’ve worked with our heritage workshop participants to produce a Whitechapel Stories booklet, to share their research findings and other stories with our friends, neighbours and those further afield. We also undertook an outreach programme to connect with local schools and community organisations.
05 sustainability
Throughout the project, we’ve endeavoured to follow best practice in terms of sustainability. We used eco-friendly materials in the painting of the mural, our printers use vegetable inks and renewable electricity, and we’ve minimised our carbon footprint wherever possible.
As well as these green measures, we hope the mural will enhance the ambience of the neighbourhood, generate a feel-good factor and deter anti-social behaviour. To ensure the mural stays well maintained, we’ll be setting up a crowdfunder campaign in due course.
project team
jane austin
Jane Austin is Secretary of John’s Place Tenants’ and Residents’ Association in Whitechapel. She has worked for many years in community and adult education, with a focus on widening participation, and as a volunteer working with refugees.
Graham Barker
Graham Barker is a walk guide with a keen interest in East End history. He has written walk features for Our East End, manages the Tower Hamlets health walk programme, and has led pop-up community projects including Victorian Footprints and History on the Doorstep.
richard wiltshire
Richard Wiltshire is Archives Manager at Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives, responsible for the vast collection of historical resources they hold at Bancroft Road. Sanjida Alam and Genova Messiah – Heritage Officers (Learning and Participation) – will provide additional support.
vernon hunte
Vernon Hunte is Chair of John’s Place Tenants’ and Residents’ Association in Whitechapel. A lifelong Londoner with a love of history, he works in policy communications and with a love of the performing arts.
"Whitechapel has such a rich history that has been shaped by many incredible people. I am delighted that it will be celebrated in this community mural and be a reminder of the many stories that have shaped our local area and influenced our country, whether it is heritage, the arts, medicine and tech and so much more.
When my father first arrived in the UK as a 23 year old, he lived in Maples Place in Whitechapel. My family has a long connection with Whitechapel, as I know many others do in our local community as well as across our country."
Rushanara Ali MP (Bethnal Green and Stepney)
Our Supporters
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Genesis
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The George Tavern
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Queen Mary University of London
OUR partners
get involved!
If you would like to get involved or would like to know more about the project, we would love to hear from you. Please use the form opposite or email us at: johnsplacetra@gmail.com