New community mural transforms 'tired' Langley community centre

A tired community centre in Langley has been transformed into a welcoming space through a vibrant new mural.

Previously described by residents as looking 'like a GP waiting room', Viva Slough, Dulux (AkzoNobel), and Slough Borough Council officially unveiled the new Langley Pavilion makeover today (December 9).

This is the first step in a wider initiative to revitalise all eight of Slough’s underused community centres, to give the community spaces a 'fresh sense of identity'.

“Slough’s community centres are one of the town’s greatest untapped assets,” said Vineet Vijh, director of Viva Slough.

“By filling them with colour, art, and life, we are creating places where people feel proud to visit - spaces that uplift wellbeing, bring neighbours together, and strengthen the social fabric of our town.”

The mural blends the earthly and the cosmic with six-year-old Nyraa Gupta, a pupil at Claycots School who has dreams of becoming an artist one day, at the centre of the latest landmark.

She was chosen as the face of the project to represent the children of Slough, and her calm expression sits amid a swirl of rainbow colours that flow into a night-sky scene.

The building’s circular window has been incorporated as a glowing planet, and this celestial theme pays tribute to Slough’s scientific heritage and resident astronomer William Herschel.

A white dog features alongside Nyraa as a symbol of companionship, inspired by the Old English Sheepdog Dulux mascot.

The Slough girl and the Dulux dog bookend a cosmic skyscape that flows into the distant planet, celebrating Slough’s heritage as the birthplace of the world’s first Dulux plant.

Dulux supported the initiative by funding the entire project, including donations of all paint and equipment. The company runs an international Let’s Colour movement to revitalise public spaces.

A large team of Dulux Corporate Volunteers spent four Tuesdays working with a small team of volunteers, supported by Slough Youth Justice, to help with the installation.

“We believe colour has the power to inspire, uplift, and transform how people feel about their surroundings,” said Becky Orton, Marketing & Partnerships Manager at Dulux.

“Working shoulder-to-shoulder with residents to reimagine Langley Pavilion has been a privilege — and a reminder of what’s possible when communities and companies collaborate.”

Colombian visual artist and muralist Johana Plazas, known as Jho, who has created murals across the borough, including at Slough Station, Salt Hill Park tunnel, and near Claycots School, led the artistic direction.

Pictured: Jho with Nyraa Gupta and the Dulux dog. Photo credit: Sam Jamgbadi.

Inside the pavilion, walls were repainted and refreshed, creating a brighter, more welcoming environment. A poem was also written to accompany the mural.

“This mural reflects the joy, creativity, and spirit of the community,” said Jho.

“Painting alongside residents made this project incredibly meaningful — it’s a piece created with them and for them.”

Singers and dancers performed at the opening ceremony, while the Dulux dog attended, and Nyraa cut the ribbon.

Slough Borough Council welcomed the initiative as a model for future community regeneration and forming part of wider works for the Safer Langley initiative.

Councillor Ejaz Ahmed, lead member for communities, sport, leisure and public protection, said: “This project shows exactly what happens when creativity, partnership, and community meet.

“Langley Pavilion has gone from ordinary to extraordinary — it’s now a beacon of pride, colour, and possibility for Slough”