Possible Peoples Market Move For Oriel Gallery

The Oriel Gallery could be moved to a new location, possibly the Peoples Market, in Wrexham as part of a town centre ‘Regeneration Scheme’.

Along with the potential move of the gallery, projects such as redefining the town centre, converting empty properties into homes, affordable childcare and a skills / employment development scheme are also proposed for Wrexham.

These projects cover Wrexham town centre and also ten wards that surround the town.

The proposals, which are due to before the Executive Board on Tuesday come as a result of Wrexham’s successful ‘Vibrant and Viable Places’ bid.

Back in January Wrexham.com reported on Wrexham’s successful bid which will see to town receive over £10million to regenerate the town centre and surrounding urban areas.

Over the next three years Wrexham will receive £10.594 million from the Welsh Government to use for a number of regeneration projects – helping to create jobs, tackle poverty, increase housing supply and improve community facilities.

Speaking last week, Council Leader Neil Rogers said: “This is very positive. We are very pleased we were successful in our bid.

“We cannot just wait for these sorts of things to just happen, we have to go after them.”

Wrexham.com first became aware of the possible move of the Oriel Gallery a few months ago after being informed that a handful of locations had been looked at.

Last week Cllr Rogers commented on the importance of having an arts facility in the town centre, adding ‘We are looking at all options.’

We spoke to one well informed arts insider who told Wrexham.com that the People’s Market was option that had been looked at, although ‘there are other places on the table’.

They went on to say: “Due to the size and shape of the market, it has the chance for both stalls and the arts there. It could drive footfall and could be a more rounded offering.

“Moving the gallery to the People’s Market gives the chance to remodel and rethink the space that there is. There could potentially be studio space, galleries the scope of the shop. I think it is a positive step.

“There are problems with the Oriel Gallery, it needs money spent on its current location or moving somewhere else. The possible move demonstrates Wrexham’s commitment to the arts community.”

The proposals will go before the Executive Board on Tuesday at 2pm. You can read the full report on the Council website here.