PATRONS of a popular gallery and event space in St Aubin have expressed shock at news that it could be turned into a gym.
An application has been lodged with the Planning Department to set up a gym and fitness studio on the site where the Harbour Gallery has operated since 2003.
The gallery showcases the work of many Islanders involved in arts and crafts, as well as hosting workshops for school groups and charities.
Artist Ian Rolls said he had been involved with the gallery – and the Art in the Frame Foundation which runs it – for many years and was shocked to hear the news.
He said: ‘It would be a great, great shame if the Harbour Gallery was to be lost; it’s something of an institution and one of the few places where younger, less-established artists can show their work.’
Mr Rolls added that he would expect there to be widespread opposition to the proposals and potentially a campaign to save the gallery.
Pat Robson, co-founder of Art in the Frame, said in a statement on social media that the plans had been submitted by the landlord of the building rather than by the charity.
Mrs Robson said that around 100 local, up-and-coming artists were represented at any one time, with an estimated 10,000 people having attended workshops, covering a wide age range from five to 85-plus.
John Garton, chief executive of Genuine Jersey, described the gallery as ‘a really important outlet for local producers’.
He added: ‘It would be very important to find a new site if the gallery can’t stay where it is, but St Aubin is a fantastic location and it would be a great shame if it could no longer be there.’
St Aubin resident Margie Holland Prior said that if the gallery was to close its loss would be felt by locals, tourists, schoolchildren and the artistic community.
She added: ‘All people will be able to do in St Aubin is eat and drink – you need diversity in a tourist location, somewhere people can go in and walk around if it’s raining and buy presents or postcards.’
Charities including Les Amis and Mencap Jersey use the gallery regularly. Tracey Welch, of Les Amis, said twice-weekly visits were very popular with the charity’s clients, helping them to develop social and artistic skills.
During the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, a successful crowdfunding campaign was organised to raise £10,000 in order to help meet running costs of the gallery while it was closed during lockdown.
If approved, the planning application submitted by Waddington Architects would see the ground floor and part of the first floor of the property become a wellness centre. Under the plans the site’s existing café would be kept.
