New gallery to replace Northampton’s Fishmarket could open by summer
GV of Fishmarket on Sheep Street.
ARTISTS from Northampton hope the town centre could have a new gallery as soon as this summer.
The Fishmarket in Sheep Street is due to close down at the end of March so the building can be demolished to make way for the town’s new bus station.
It had been feared that the artists who have converted the former market into a gallery could be made homeless by the move.
But it has now been revealed that a new base for the group has been lined-up in the heart of the town’s ‘cultural quarter’, close to the Royal & Derngate theatres.
The director of the Fishmarket, John Simpson, said the new building, which has not yet been publicly unveiled, should provide a great space for the artists.
He said: “We’ve had a good look around the new building and while it will still need a bit of work doing to it, we think it has the potential to be a goer and we’re very excited about it.
“It would be much more of a permanent home than anywhere else we’ve been trying to get or any other buildings we’ve been offered.”
The Fishmarket is due to close as an art gallery at the end of March.
Before then, a series of one-off events will be held at the gallery before a final ‘farewell party’ is held.
During the spring and summer, a series of touring art events will then be staged, but it is hoped the new venue could be ready by the summer.
Mr Simpson said: “Both the borough and county councils have been really helpful, which we’re over the moon about.
“It shows they’re committed to helping us find a new home and supporting art in Northampton.”
Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Tim Hadland (Con, Old Duston) said the new building was much more suitable for the arts group than one the council had previously suggested at the bottom of Guildhall Road. He said: “That building needed a lot of work, which would have taken quite some time.
“The artists think they can move into the new building much more quickly because it just requires minor alteration work.
“So if we could get it all together, it looks like it would be a good solution.”
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
bobscrabby
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 04:04 PMblizzy boy you don't give up do you , you live in Kuala Lumpur and have no time for "THE CESSPIT NORTHAMPTON" ,why do you keep putting your comments on here , you often accuse me of making non relative comments , but you have as Elvis , left the building , I see that Gurcharan Singh commenter 24 Sikh Temple Project has been upset at your ranting , I hope he doesn't get Malaysian Government to kick you out , you may return to the cesspit .
MrPowell
Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 06:33 PMProblem is it's not a small town.It's a huge town, with a lot of small minds. If the Fishmarket must go, and I'm not sure it should, then let's hope the creative people get somewhere more permanent and stable to show their work.
one foot in
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 07:30 PMThis is good news for the artists involved. A real credit to the people who have persevered with it through hard times. This small town is lucky to have so many people making so much effort, often without thanks or acknowledgement.
WagTheDog
Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 12:22 AMIf they hold off for a few months, they can have a large open air venue for their art. At the moment I believe it is called Sixfields.
willi eckaslyke
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:38 PMblizz...fish was arriving into Northampton (by train) long before there was such a thing as a refrigeration unit....suggest you give up on the history lessons
lady muck
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 12:36 PMHOS..converting the library for art displays was last week's Grand Plan...do keep up....
blizzy boy
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 11:46 AMJACKSON the answer comes in 2 parts part 1 PEOPLE EAT FISH part 2 WITH THE INVENTION OF THE LORRY FISH COULD BE TRANSPORTED IN REFRIDGERATED UNITS TO INLAND FISHMONGERS.MARKETS. i do hope this answers your question if you have anymore questions such as is the moon really made out of cheese? etc, please dont hesitate to contact me!!!!
HOS
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 11:07 AMThe intention was to use the Library in Abington Street wasnt it ? Is it still the library? What are the costs for converting a building into art gallery useage? and who is paying for it?
Removed by moderator
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:54 AMWhy did Northampton have a fish market in the first place? I mean it's not close to the sea is it?
SteveWonder
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:52 AMCount....Under an ancient charter relating to that site, two of the busses will be driven by a mackrel and a sardine
lady muck
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:52 AMUsually anyone can display (if it's modern art...eg a light going on or off), there's not even any skill needed to produce it. The drawback is that it's 'pay and display'. There is the compromise of a combined Fishmarket and Art display.... a nice pickled shark.
The Old Geezer
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:47 AMCan anyone display their art in the new place or is it just for the select few who are in the "In crowd"?
blizzy boy
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 10:02 AMI totally agree TheCount they could sell fish they could even have a few Butchers stalls and maybe even have a little caferteria up one corner by the look of the photograph it would be an ideal venue. But on reflection where on earth would you find any Butchers or fishmongers now-a-days. No far better to rip it down after all it's only a bit of original old Northampton What Northampton really needs is somewhere for all the drop-outs, druggies, homeless,and weekend drunks to use as a sheltertoilet so Greyfriar's B.S 2 is a great idea.apart from the bit about where they think moving the BS closer to the busier town centre is going to make it safer for the drivers and public alike with all those drunks lurching about at the weekends it's a fatality waiting to happen.
willi eckaslyke
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 09:48 AMCount....Under an ancient charter relating to that site, two of the bus bays will be occupied each Friday morning, by a fresh-fish auction.
TheCount
Friday, January 20, 2012 at 08:17 AMA fish market would be a great idea !!!!
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