OxTrail boosted Oxford's economy by £1.2m, report finds

OxTrail saw more than 30 large and 100 medium-sized painted oxen sculptures placed around the city centre and surrounding areas in support of Oxford-based hospice Sobell House.

The event’s impact report has found more than three-quarters of those who took part, following a trail to see the sculptures, spent money on food and drink while doing so.

One in 10 stayed overnight as part of their visit, more than half went shopping, and nearly eight in 10 spent more time exploring Oxford or Oxfordshire because of OxTrail.

A decorated ox at Blavatnik School of Government (Image: Contribution) Amelia Foster, CEO of Sobell House Hospice, said: "OxTrail has achieved exactly what we envisaged when we first started to explore the idea of bringing a public art trail to our city.

"It was a mammoth project to execute but has had such a positive impact on our community.

"It’s encouraged people to go out and be more active, it’s brought together a huge number of businesses and organisations, it has engaged schools and the local universities, and has showcased some amazing local and international artists."

OxTrail’s learning programme was also a success, with mini oxen now in their permanent homes in more than 70 schools.

In each school that took part, more than 240 people were involved in OxTrail activity, including pupils who were provided with special learning resources.

One of the OxTrail sculptures (Image: OxTrail 2024) Many of the artists who took part were found to have received commissions or new work projects as a direct result of being an OxTrail artist.

More than six in 10 of the sculpture hosts said the trail had directly driven business for them.

The event was also a fundraising success for the hospice, with the total amount raised by OxTrail now standing at more than £293,000.

Of this, £150,000 was raised at the OxTrail auction in September, which saw more than 250 people bid for the sculptures.

BBC Radio Oxford’s ox, Tony, created by Oxfordshire based yarn-bomber Yarnsy, sold for £2,800, while the 'Moo-seum' created by The Story Museum, consisting of six miniature oxen, sold for £1,300.

An online auction of miniature oxen is taking place for two weeks from Thursday, November 28, until Saturday, December 15.

Ms Foster added: "As well as the economic and socio-economic impact, the money raised is phenomenal.

"Each year we need to raise in excess of £3 million to ensure we can continue to provide the full range of services offered by the palliative and end of life care services offered by Sobell House as well as deliver innovative, new services.”