Empty shops become artwork telling street stories

The project aims to reduce vandalism on empty shops and help them find new tenants

New public artwork has been painted across the windows of eight empty shops in Leicester.

The Street Stories project, led by BID Leicester, Leicester City Council and Arch Creative, aims to stop vandalism at vacant lots, make empty shops more desirable to new tenants and gives artists an opportunity to showcase their work.

Visitors can scan a QR code on the artwork, which brings the installation to life.

The project was first launched in 2019 to improve the high street and seven out of eight units were subsequently let.

Artwork by Leicester-based artist Clare Fazackerley is on display in Silver Street

The current artwork will be displayed until a new business opens in each unit.

Leicester-based artist Clare Fazackerley was given the brief to create images that represented Leicester's night life.

She said she wanted to reflect Leicester Comedy Festival.

Ms Fazackerley said her work was inspired by Leicester Comedy Festival

"I used foxes as the subject matter as opposed to people," Ms Fazackerley said.

"Not only do they go out in the evening, it's also a great representation of Leicester with it being the foxes."

Ms Fazackerley's original artwork is displayed in one of the local pubs, which inspired her creation.

Joe Nixon says the project can "bring a bit of vibrancy to the city's streets"

Joe Nixon, the founder and director of Street Stories said such schemes were more important than ever.

He added: "Projects like this can really help to generate civic pride to increase footfall and to just bring a bit of vibrancy to the city's streets."

Operations executive at BID Leicester James Dunham said: "Bringing in the artwork can improve the colour and the vibrancy of these clusters of empty units and making sure that these properties aren't overlooked."

Organisers say the art celebrates Leicester's people, places and histories

The scheme invites viewers to rediscover the city through the eyes of its artists and storytellers

Street Stories began in Leicester but has since been launched in Colchester, Wolverhampton and Stirling in Scotland