Art goes digital after gallery closure

The move follows the closure of one of the few galleries in the Leighton area. The b Gallery in Toddington’s Market Square had been operating for two years and provided a valuable outlet for artists from the district plus a teaching base for workshops.

But increasing overheads and a lack of footfall prompted partners Melanie Burnell and Julie Boyle to close their business, which had been housed in the beautifully restored Old Town Hall, at the end of last year and move it into the internet.

Speaking this week the business partners said: “Two years ago, through our passion and vision to promote local artists and art in the community b Gallery was born.

“During our time at the centre, we have been fortunate to have a friendly, knowledgeable, supportive and talented team whose hard work and dedication has helped us to grow and be the best we can be. We have provided an array of expertly run creative workshops, lectures and professional services and proudly exhibited over 200 independent artists who will always be known as the founding members of what has grown into an established art directory.

“We have seen the centre grow from nothing to become a highly valued arts centre in the community. However times are changing and as a business, we too have to make changes in order to survive and grow.

“In the last few months of last year, despite our best efforts, trading conditions on the high street worsened drastically and, as with many other outlets, the centre suffered rising outgoings and declining sales. In December we were sadly forced to let it go in order to move our business forward.

“In the same period that sales at the centre had been falling, our new website enjoyed phenomenal growth attracting thousands of followers, 250,000 page views and producing rising sales month on month. The dramatic shift in the way people are using the internet to browse and make purchases shows that moving online is the way forward for many businesses and we are no exception.

“As times change so must we...Our vision is still as strong today as it was the day we opened the centre. We now have an established and growing art directory and an amazing team whose support and belief in b Gallery is overwhelming. Combined with our fantastic website, bespoke e-marketing system and expertly managed online networking campaigns which are now promoting our brand and our artists to a global market, we are in a strong position to grow our business.

“Moving forward means saying goodbye to what has now become our proud heritage, our lovely arts centre, and embrace what is our future, our flagship website, to keep our vision and reach our potential.

“We would like to thank all our customers, artists and friends for your continued support.”

For more information about exhibiting on line go to www.bgallery.co.uk