News: Work underway on Westgate Chambers arts space

Local companies, Grove Environmental Recycling Ltd and 3 Shires Building Ltd are generously supporting the redevelopment of Westgate Chambers in Rotherham town centre into an arts centre.

ROAR won £50,000 from The People's Millions Big Lottery in December to help redevelop the disused offices at the top of Corporation Street, into artists studios and community art space.

There will be six artists studios all with natural light, white walls and ceilings, wooden floors, broadband Wifi and separately metered electric supply. Each studio will have access to a communal kitchen, wet room, toilets and a reception gallery area. There will also be 24hr access with 24hr CCTV.

The two companies are doing all they can to use limited resources to deliver the space. Ben Roberts, manager of Grove Environmental Recycling Ltd, said: "Grove Environmental is happy to support this project in order to help reinvigorate Rotherham town centre.

"We are a local firm and wish to be part of the the regeneration efforts for our town. We believe this to be an exciting project that can and will have a positive impact for Rotherham town centre and the people of Rotherham."

Andy Gardner, director of 3 Shires Building Ltd added: "3 Shires Building has never worked with artists or creative people before and we will be interested to see them bring this rather lovely building back to life.

"ROAR clearly has a passion for what it is doing and we are proud to be working with them to deliver this new facility."

Building work is underway and is due to be completed in November 2011. ROAR is now inviting artists to apply for the studio spaces and are looking for artists who see themselves as part of a collective which is setting out to make the arts central to the regeneration of Rotherham. Applications should be in by August 28 2011.

ROAR website

Images: ROAR