Leeds City Centre Empty Units
- Client: Leeds City Centre Management, Leeds City Council, Leeds BID, Victoria Leeds & Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre
- Areas: On Location Diversity & Inclusivity
- Credits:
In 2021, I was commissioned by Leeds City Council together with Leeds BID and the management teams at Victoria Gate, Victoria Quarter, and Trinity Leeds Shopping Centre.
My designs were used to transform seven empty shop units into vibrant and colourful murals aimed at welcoming returning visitors to the high streets.
Some reached over six metres high!
The pandemic impacted retail areas across the country leading to an increase in empty shop units in Leeds. The project aimed to transform the high street in time for non-essential retail re-opening.
Every element within my design has a direct link to Leeds. After reading the brief I felt that the people who make up our community were integral to the project and wanted to ensure that they were the main focus. Each character design is based on a person who walked past me while I was drawing on location. People are shopping, busking, going for a stroll, sipping on a cup of tea and catching up with friends.
Symbols scattered between the characters represent the variety of bars and cafes the city has to offer. The abstract shapes and patterns are inspired by the local architecture.
My design aims to embody Leeds as a thriving community and a welcoming place to live, work, and shop.
