COVERED Market traders have welcomed a new art initiative to bring in more shoppers but insisted refurbishing the historic attraction should be a priority.

A series of ‘Banksy-style’ art pieces have been installed at the market to raise awareness of endangered animals.

Oxford Mail:

Five images – a jaguar, a blue whale, a bear, an elephant and a bee – are designed to inspire a conversation about the wider impact of species extinction.

At the same time, in a separate project, papier-maché animal shapes, including goats and cows, have been displayed, hanging from the rafters.

These - which include owls, goats and fish - were originally commissions from Abergavenny Food Festival and are now being rented.

Oxford Mail:

Traders including Mohammad Taheri, who runs Aria Photography, said: “It’s a good idea to generate interest in the market in this way - anything that can boost footfall has to be a good thing.

“The theme of the art could change every few months to keep it looking fresh and generate new interest.

“But it must be refurbishment first - I had a leaking roof over the winter, with water gushing in and luckily I managed to save my stock.

“But as far as I am aware the repairs over my unit were only finished recently.”

James Torjussen, who runs David John butchers, said shoppers were talking about the art installations.

He added: “Kids are awestruck when they notice the animals.”

The art images were created by Devon Galpin Clarke and Diana Garcia and were first displayed in Paris in June.

Oxford Mail:

The artwork is part of a wildlife conservation campaign – known as What we Lose – and will also form the basis for an illustrated coffee table book.

The council, which owns and runs the historic market, last year announced plans to invest £1.6m in the attraction, to make improvements to the roof, public toilets, signs and paving outside.

Mary Clarkson, executive board member for culture and city centre, said: “This exhibition of striking and evocative artwork not only raises awareness for an important cause, but also showcases our intention to offer more events and activities, to help draw people into the jewel in the crown of Oxford’s retail offer.

“The council continues to work closely with traders to encourage new visitors to sample the independent and quirky appeal of the Covered Market.”