Property consultancy and Thames Tap partner Vail Williams is working with an artist to brighten up empty retail units in Oxford.
Through contacts at the Oxford colleges, Vail Williams partner Mike Watson was introduced to Oxfordshire artist Kathryn Croxson by Lincoln College and she has agreed to work with the team to create artworks on the windows of retail premises he is marketing.
Mike said: “I’m delighted with Kathryn’s unique creations. The paintings have created a great deal of interest and have almost become the equivalent of a Vail Williams ‘to let’ sign.
“The retail market presently is quite buoyant, but despite this, even if the vacant units are under offer and working through solicitors, there can be a delay in occupancy leaving dead frontages for a period of time.
“One of the challenges of retail property, therefore, is keeping the environment around vacant units looking engaging and positive.
“A void can potentially leave the area looking a little sorry for itself, which can impact other tenants’ trade and, from the landlord’s perspective, potentially hit rents.
“Kathryn’s creative spin on window dressing not only enriches the environment but also helps to mitigate the negative impact of a void period to some degree.
“I love what she is doing and, where appropriate, I hope to work with her across the various retail portfolios with which we are involved.
“The vibrancy and uniqueness of the displays she has created to date are amazing and genuinely add something special to what can be a low point in a property’s lifecycle.”
Vail Williams is currently marketing 14 retail premises in the city on behalf of various clients and Kathryn’s artwork can, so far, be found in High Street, Turl Street and New Inn Hall Street.
Australian-born Kathryn, who specialises in art and textile design, said: “A city such as Oxford with its history, heritage and passion for the arts deserves to look at its best for shoppers, students and visitors.
“My style is very much centred around using vivid colours and these paintings certainly brighten up our streets – especially judging by the reactions of passers-by.
“The artwork is temporary, of course, but I have plenty of pictures of the painted shopfronts to preserve them and may even put on an exhibition one day.”
Image (l-r): Kathryn Croxson and Mike Watson in front of one of the empty shops she has brightened up.
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