Property consultancy Vail Williams is helping to brighten up grey days in Oxford by working with an artist to transform empty retail premises in the city with vibrant artworks.

Vail Williams’ Oxford-based partner Mike Watson acts for various Oxford Colleges which have extensive portfolios of properties in the city and beyond.

He was introduced to Oxfordshire artist Kathryn Croxson by Lincoln College, and it was agreed that she could create artworks on the windows of retail premises he was marketing.

Mike, who has 26 years’ experience in Oxford, 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.

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.”

Hywel Morse, land agent for Lincoln College, said:

“We had no hesitation in supporting this scheme to bring some colour to the city’s streets. It is a fantastic way of ensuring that art can be brought to the people."

“Lincoln College has been part of the fabric of Oxford for almost 600 years and we seek to give something back to the community whenever possible – this artwork is an excellent example of that.”

The college, founded in 1427 by Bishop of Lincoln, Richard Fleming, is in the heart of the city on Turl Street and accommodates around 600 students. Alumni include John Radcliffe, John Wesley, Rishi Sunak, John Le Carré and Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr Seuss).

Award-winning Australian-born artist Kathryn’s love of vivid hues and intriguing prints was first ignited when she studied graphic design, followed by spells in architecture and fashion.

Her travels across Turkey, Argentina, Bolivia and Australia fuelled her love of colour and unique patterns. She and other artists had previously transformed an empty Oxford shop into a festive scene last December.

Vail Williams has seen business expand after opening an office in Oxford a year ago. The office is headed by partner Richard Dawtrey, also the firm’s Head of Investment.

The entry into the Oxford market saw the firm, which now has twelve offices across the UK, bridge the gap between its London, Reading and Birmingham offices, with its premises at New Barclay House in the city.

The firm’s full-service property advice includes commercial agency, investment and development advice, building consultancy, property valuation, planning, lease advisory, property asset management, business rates and occupier consultancy.

Above Photo: Flower Power - Vail Williams’ Oxford-based partner Mike Watson with Oxfordshire artist Kathryn Croxson at one of the retail premises in the city which she has transformed with her brightly coloured artwork