Search underway for new Ian Curtis mural site as original building is now "unavailable"

A mural of Ian Curtis painted over to promote a new album by Manchester rapper Aitch will NOT be able to return to its original site, the MEN has been told. Manchester Council are now working to find a new location for the mural in the Northern Quarter.

People were left outraged after the black-and-white painting of the Joy Division frontman, on Port Street in the Northern Quarter, was painted over with the advert earlier this month. Aitch himself was "fuming" when he found out the site was being used, and Amazon bosses who commissioned the advert apologised for the upset caused.

All parties, together with the council, had confirmed their plans to reinstate the mural "as soon as possible". But they've now hit a stumbling block as the original building is not available to be re-used for a permanent artwork, according to city centre spokesperson, Coun Pat Karney.

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Coun Karney said: "We have not been able to talk to the owner of the current site and believe he wants to use it as an advertising wall. So we are now searching for a new permanent site.

"The council is checking sites but if anyone in the Northern Quarter is up for it please contact me. Aitch, the artist, and the council are ready to go with a new site."

Coun Karney said that there had been difficulties getting hold of the owner of the building. He said: "The current wall is on a Airbnb and we have been led to believe the owner is selling it."

Amazon issued an apology after the mural dedicated to Manchester music icon Curtis was painted over for the advert they had commissioned for Aitch's new album. The mural had been originally created by street and graffiti artist Akse in 2020 to mark the