Excitement as Chichester art gallery plans are given green light

Excitement is building following the approval of ‘major plans’ at the Oxmarket Centre of Arts.
By Sam Morton
Published 25th Feb 2020, 12:09 BST
Updated 25th Feb 2020, 12:12 BST
The gallery will have a much more attractive and welcoming entrance. Photo: Cover Storey ArchitectsThe gallery will have a much more attractive and welcoming entrance. Photo: Cover Storey Architects
The gallery will have a much more attractive and welcoming entrance. Photo: Cover Storey Architects

Oxmarket Gallery, off East Street, submitted two planning applications in November 2019 with the aim of enhancing the entrance area, flow of movement and increasing exhibition space to ‘help secure its future’ and ‘ensure the sustainable future’.

The Oxmarket Gallery provides exhibition space for local and national, amateur and professional artists, crafts people and the performing arts.

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According to Sophie Hull, chairman of the gallery, the ‘much loved, largely volunteer-run’ community facility, and Grade II* listed medieval building, needs ‘urgent updating’ to ensure the gallery continues to meet the needs of its users and visitors.

The Chichester Societys executive committee supported the sensitive and appropriate proposals for the listed buildingThe Chichester Societys executive committee supported the sensitive and appropriate proposals for the listed building
The Chichester Societys executive committee supported the sensitive and appropriate proposals for the listed building

Speaking after the plans were approved by Chichester District Council, she added: “After a beauty parade, local architects Cover Storey were appointed as architects. Together we worked up the designs to strengthen the signage and making landscape improvements to firmly stamp it onto the street map of Chichester as a premier destination and reason to visit Chichester and applied to CDC for planning consent.

“We will be improving the gallery’s visibility by creating a striking and stylish façade reflecting the blackened timber of the belfry on the new front entrance.”

Sophie said the gallery will have a ‘much more attractive and welcoming’ entrance and by relocating the toilets and kitchen, it will create a ‘substantial space’ to house the gallery, shop and café.

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“The entrance area will be dramatically increased and more gallery wall space created,” she said. “A seamless flow from room to room or gallery to gallery will provide an uninterrupted and fully accessible experience. The toilets will be upgraded from the 80s ones. Now that we have permission it is a most exciting development for Oxmarket Gallery and one we relish.”

The Chichester Society’s executive committee supported the ‘sensitive and appropriate’ proposals for enhancing this ‘popular cultural facility’ in a listed building.

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Related topics:Chichester District Council