Final phase in creation of arts education centre draws near

5.05.04pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

The third and final phase in the building of the flagship Coach House Education Centre at Orleans House Gallery is poised to begin.

Richmond Council has invited bids from five firms to convert a dilapidated stables block into a gallery space, artists' workshop and café. Tenders are also going out this month for caterers to run the café with a focus on healthy eating. The work is due to start in July and once fully up and running in April 2008, the state-of-the-art £1.1m centre will allow a massive expansion of the gallery's education programme and increase arts provision for the whole community. The new facilities will supplement the existing conference room, workshops and admin rooms, offering a tailor-made and user-friendly arts complex. It is hoped the café will attract a more diverse mix of visitors and boost the gallery's growing reputation as a conference and wedding venue. The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted almost £850,000 towards the redevelopment of the Grade I listed stables and courtyard, with the Council and private benefactors supplying the rest of the cash. Carnival artist Carl Gabriel is currently working in residence in the Stables Gallery ahead of the arrival of contractors in July, allowing the Arts Service to test how an artist in residence works prior to the new programme starting next year.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for the Arts on Richmond Council, said:

"I am absolutely thrilled that we're on the verge of starting work on the final stage of this superb redevelopment. Orleans House Gallery has built a national reputation for innovation and excellence in arts education and these fantastic new facilities will be the bedrock for an even greater range of community-focused programmes in the years ahead. I firmly believe the café will be an added attraction and help establish the gallery and grounds as one of the borough's premier conference and reception venues."