There is a new tribute to The Fall frontman Mark E Smith in Manchester city centre - but you’ll have to head off the beaten track to find it.

The maverick mastermind of the Manc band died in January, aged 60, after battling cancer, with tributes paid from rock and cultural icons from across the globe.

Now there’s a permanent tribute, hidden in the Northern Quarter, to his lyrical genius.

Venture to the far (and dead) end of Short Street and you will find two striking mosaics - one in Mark’s image and the other featuring lyrics from The Fall song Ten Houses of Eve, framed by the brickwork of the far wall of the Affleck’s building.

The artworks have been commissioned by renowned mosaic artist Mark Kennedy, and were created by artist Mary Goodwin.

Kennedy had been friends with Smith for 15 years, and hopes to add to artworks in the secluded end of Short Street as an ongoing tribute to Smith and The Fall.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

He says: “I want to call this Fall corner, and over the years I’d like to add little bits every time there’s a celebratory element to the group.

“I like the corner because it’s hidden and to an extent The Fall were quite a hidden band and Mark’s lyrics have many hidden meanings too.

“It’s hard to find, and like The Fall in many respects, you have to look for it and that works for me.”

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

The lyrics on the artwork read: “Identity art.. if only the shards you’d relocate back in place”, ending with the dates of Smith’s life - 1957-2018.

Kennedy was keen for a female artist to create the works, as a testament to the female musicians in The Fall, and commissioned Leeds-based Mary Goodwin.

Mark says: “Mark was a maverick, and some say a genius, and I’d agree with that because I’ve seen him work.

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

“He taught me a lot about work, about never having to look too far for your materials or your inspiration - it should be right under your nose.

“That was his magic - taking something so familiar and turning it into the unfamiliar, other worldly.

“He’s incredibly well-respected across the world by other artists.”

(Image: Manchester Evening News)

Kennedy is known for his mosaics that have adorned Affleck’s over the years, with the “second wave” currently on display including tributes to Mancunian rock icons, the city’s two football clubs and Coronation Street.

But his latest project has seen him work with original heritage Ancoats glass for works that are due to go on display with the launch of new restaurant Canto in September.