A popular fine art gallery in Oxford has re-located to a larger retail space in the popular Westgate Shopping Centre, taking up 1915 sq ft in its brand-new home.
Castle Fine Art, the UK’s leading art retailer, has moved from Queen Street to a larger unit in the South Arcade, in a bid to re-define how customers experience art.
The gallery, which first opened in Oxford in 2019, has hosted a variety of works from notable artists, including Marvel, Billy Connolly, and Johnny Depp, to name a few. Last year, the company was behind the public installation of two monumental balloon dog sculptures by artist Whatshisname, which appeared in Westgate Shopping Centre to raise awareness for the Blue Cross pet charity. The store was also shortlisted for the ‘Best Art Space in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire’ award at the Muddy Stilettos Awards in 2022.
On the back of this success, Castle Fine Art has now opened a new-look store in the South Arcade, which boasts a sleeker and more modern interior. Larger than its previous counterpart, the new Castle Fine Art gallery offers more space to browse the artwork and an interactive virtual projector room that allows clients to see the gallery’s artwork inside their own home. There’s even a bar for customers to enjoy a tipple whilst browsing the latest collections.
Commenting on the re-location and expansion, Oxford gallery manager Allison Taylor, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have opened the doors to our brand-new gallery in Oxford. This larger premises has allowed us to really elevate our customer experience, with even more exhibited artwork and a private room where people can see the works in their own home.
“It’s been great to welcome our old friends and new clients to the new space, and I look forward to welcoming even more customers throughout the year. We’ve got some really exciting exhibitions coming up, giving us plenty of excuses to show off the gallery!”
The relocation of the gallery is the latest move for Washington Green Fine Art, the group that owns the Castle Fine Art chain of 37 galleries across the country.
Ian Weatherby-Blythe, Group Managing Director, adds: “The move makes for some much-needed good news in the world of retail right now. Despite the turbulent times for the UK’s high streets recently, we are so pleased to be able to offer some relief in the form of our new gallery. It is an exciting time for all of us at Castle Fine Art, and we cannot wait for the Oxford community to see and enjoy our new space.
“Now more than ever, the shopping experience is paramount, and we know that there is a renewed demand for an immersive customer journey when visiting the high street. We want to continue to offer our valued clients the full Castle Fine Art experience at every one of our locations, and with this new space we are able to do so.”
Castle Fine Art’s Oxford gallery is located at South Arcade, Lower Ground Floor, Westgate Shopping Centre. It is home to a range of works by artists Billy Connolly, Disney, Raphael Mazzucco, and many more. To find out more visit www.castlefineart.com/galleries/oxford.
