The Bluecoat Arts Centre in School Lane closes for major restoration work on January 31st. It is scheduled to re-open in mid 2006. Only the Craft & Design Display Centre will be staying open via the entrance from College Lane.
The current ‘Watch This Space’ exhibition ends on Jan 29th.
The Bookshop and Artshop have already moved to the Gostins buliding in Hanover St.
The Editions shop will be moving to Cook St at the end of the month.
Fans of the Cafe will have to find another venue and the Artists are having to find alternative studio space.
Here’s some blurb from the webpage..
The NWDA has pledged £2.5 million towards the restoration of Bluecoat, a Grade 1 listed building and the oldest building in the city centre. Funding will assist in the refurbishment and re-organisation of existing space as well as the creation of a new wing, including the provision of managed workspace for creative industries, arts studios, an art gallery and performance space.
The project aims to reposition Bluecoat as an architectural landmark in the city, in response to Liverpool¹s 800th anniversary in 2007, Capital of Culture in 2008 and the area¹s new designation as a World Heritage Site.
Its a shame the city has to manage without such a large arts resource for 18 months but the place certainly needs updating. I always worry about the state of the wiring and plumbing in there! Hope its all worth it.