Refurbishment works approved for new artist’s studio in Northampton's cultural quarter

NN Contemporary Art, a registered charity which offers art space for people at all stages of their career, had outgrown its premises at 9 Guildhall Road and in January won planning permission from the borough council to move across the road.

But the new premises, which form part of County Hall at 24 Guildhall Road, require extensive redevelopment in order to make them habitable. A huge leap forward was taken earlier this month though when the charity was awarded £1.2 million from the Government’s Getting Britain Building Fund to help set up and refurbish the studio’s new home.

Last week (September 9) saw the borough’s cabinet approve construction works including extensive asbestos removal from the building, repairs to the central heating and repairs to access worth about £1.17 million.

Cabinet member for regeneration, Councillor Tim Hadland, said: “For those who don’t know, it’s the building between the Museum and the Vulcan Works, and it’s the last bit in the jigsaw of this particular part of the Cultural Quarter.

“NN Contemporary Arts moved in there as a temporary home when they had to move out of their premises opposite, and the intention has always been to provide them this as a permanent home.

“We acquired it from the county council and doing that facilitated the museum development and also allowed us to offer accommodation to NN.

“This report acknowledges the funding we’ve been able to get, the work that has already been carried out in de-asbestoing it, and also the improvements that will be carried out to give a permanent home to NN, and also prepare the upper floors for future creative occupiers.”

The cabinet also approved match funding of £385,000; with £320,000 to be taken from existing in year budgets and the remaining requested as new capital, to contribute to the grant funding for £1.15 million that has been awarded to NN through the GBF fund.

It also agreed to set aside £10,000 for any external professional legal advice that may be required in connection with this project.

The block of offices, at the end of County Hall where Angel Street meets Guildhall Road, has been empty since the county council moved into One Angel Square in 2017.

The refurbishment will eventually allow NN Contemporary Art to boast new exhibition spaces and creative workspaces, an improved visitor entrance, accessibility improvements and new toilets.

Council leader Jonathan Nunn said: “This is another great thing happening in the Cultural Quarter.”