The Art Department at KFR began life in 2022. Previously all donated pictures lay around in boxes on the floor of the warehouse or were hung randomly on the walls.
Juliet and Daniel Thompson decided that there should be a more professional approach to the sale of wall art.
There were picture donations amongst the KFR van collections, our customers arrived with oil paintings, watercolours, prints all freely donated. It was decided that Juliet who had worked for both Sotheby’s and Christie’s, fine art auctioneers, would sift through all pictures, filtering out the best.
In 2022 the quality of art was mediocre to say the least but we persevered creating and publicising Juliet’s Pic of the Week. The first picture to be sold in this new KFR art era was a Picasso print, (see picture), on an easel in the centre of the warehouse priced at £35.00. It sold the same day and Juliet’s Pic of the Week was launched. This is often the focus at the start of ‘Wednesday Walkabout’ a snapshot of available art at KFR. Gradually over the intervening years there has been an improvement in the class and quality of pictures delivered to KFR.
The art market is fickle, KFR understands the mood swings that relegate watercolours to the out of fashion box, oil paintings to starring roles, portraits to popularity. Prints generally are another challenge often consigned to the ‘difficult to sell box’
Good vintage posters sell, vintage movie star photos sell whereas IKEA.and other store canvas does not.
2026 art has shown an increase in quality indicating KFR sale prices are up.
In 2022 top price was iro 30.00-40.00.max.
In 2026 top price is 80.00 and many more sell iro 50.00-60.00
Art sales started to be recorded in their own category at the start of the 2023 financial year.These are the art sales figures year on year:
2023/24 - £3,282
2024/25 - £4,104
2025/26 to date (Oct to June) - £4,519
Other outlets for the ‘Bit on the Side’ -
eBay - After discussion with Brian who looks after our eBay shop as to suitability a few pictures are sent to eBay.
We also send pictures to -
Wessex Auctions Chippenham - enquiries@wessexauctionroom.co.uk
Kidson Trigg Shrivenham auctions@kidsontrigg.co.uk (After discussion with Pippa Kidson Trigg high tariff picture and furniture are sent to auction.)
KFR Bric a Brac - Numerous bric a brac items are also submitted to the Bit on the Side for research as to suitabilit yof an auction sale.
KFR Swindon
It has been a gradual development by a volunteer in a burgeoning small department. But the Bit on the Side (of KFR) should not be underestimated.
Customers are more aware that interesting decorative pictures are available to buy at reasonable prices, bargains to be had, good picture frames on sale at knockdown prices. This area of the warehouse also adds a softer dimension to the reuse dynamic. Large rummage racks overflowing with pictures that do not pass the strict muster and demands of Juliet are fun after searching for white goods or a sofa! There could be improvements –there is a frustration over the complications of wall space not cluttering up a viewing area with drum kits etc etc customers do appreciate being able to get near a picture they fancy, But this is not the National Gallery and our cloth has to be cut according!.
Juliet Singer MBE June 2026