Vibrant street art is being displayed in the windows of Cheltenham's Cavendish House while the former department store remains empty.
Owner Canada Life Asset Management has been working with Cheltenham BID on a project to enhance the look of the building's vacant windows on the Promenade, with artwork now set to be displayed there while long-term plans for its redevelopment progress.
The new display was confirmed by councillor Izaac Telford at a recent Cheltenham Borough Council meeting, following a question from councillor Emma Nelson about using the empty windows for a temporary art showcase, according to local democracy reporter Carmelo Garcia.
In her written question, Emma Nelson suggested: 'Presumably, it will be a while before we see any actual development taking place and that long run of empty windows presents an excellent display opportunity for Cheltenham. Possible projects could be the history of Cheltenham, local schools each having a window, displays from The Wilson Gallery, Local History Societies etc.'
And Izaac Telford, who is the cabinet member for economic development, culture, wellbeing and public realm at the council, said work is already underway on an artwork display.
He said: 'The Cheltenham BID has already worked in partnership with Canada Life to develop artwork for all of the windows, which will be installed in early September.
'The designs I’ve seen are perfectly in keeping for the area, including history, images, information and a map to help with wayfinding.'
Street artist and Cheltenham Paint Festival organiser Andy Dice Davies, known as Dice67, was commissioned to paint murals on the hoardings at the front and rear of Cavendish House in May this year.
Councillor Telford said the new artwork would be similar, adorning windows on both the Promenade and Regent Street sides of the building.
'The designs I’ve seen are to cover both and to make sure all the windows are properly adorned with all this new artwork and it is very nice, to be honest,' he said.
'It will be just like the artwork they have done on the hoardings already. It will be a nice addition to the Promenade and Regent Street.'
