Work nearing completion on new community arts hub and specialist library in Bishop Auckland
- gracebell7
- 7 minutes ago
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The Auckland Project’s refurbishment of No. 43 Market Place, previously Home Bargains, is nearly complete and will soon house a Community Artist Hub and a specialist library.
The Artists’ Hub, which opened on 14 November, will be led by Jilly Johnston, a local artist and Art Specialist at The Auckland Project. It will offer a variety of courses including ceramics, photography, and textiles in partnership with Bishop Auckland College.
The space will provide mentoring, training, and exhibition opportunities for emerging artists, building local skills and creative careers.
Funded through the Stronger Towns Fund, administered by Durham County Council, the Hub aims to be a catalyst for community artists to seek grants and deliver meaningful town projects.
Upstairs, preparations are underway for a Spanish literature library that will house nearly 30,000 books, funded by a private donation from Jonathan Ruffer. Arriving in late November, the collection will take about four months to unpack and catalogue. This unique resource will support research in art, culture, and faith. Access will be by appointment only via a separate entrance.
Richard Hinch, Chief Operating Officer at The Auckland Project, said: "No. 43 will be a vibrant creative centre for Bishop Auckland. By nurturing local artists, supporting skills, and providing a world-class literary resource, this space brings new cultural opportunities to the community. It strengthens the town's reputation as a place where art, learning, and heritage come together."
Nik Welsh, Stronger Town board member, said: “It is great to see the Artists’ Hub launch and another key project in the Stronger Town’s programme come to fruition, signalling an exciting future for the town. The Hub will create a platform for local artists, new and existing, to develop, collaborate and showcase their talents. This will see culture and creativity being central to the regeneration of our town.”
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “We’re delighted that the Artists’ Hub has opened to the public. This has transformed an empty property into an excellent addition to Bishop Auckland’s cultural offer and supports our plans to make the town an international tourism and heritage destination.
“We are committed to revitalising our area’s high streets and we look forward to seeing the Hub go from strength to strength as it attracts new visitors to the town. We would encourage people to go along this weekend and beyond and see what the Hub has to offer.”
Founded in 2012 by Jonathan and Jane Ruffer, The Auckland Project is working to transform Bishop Auckland into a centre of heritage and the arts. The work includes the restoration of historic Auckland Palace, once home to the powerful Prince Bishops of Durham. Other attractions include the Spanish Gallery, the Mining Art Gallery, and the Faith Museum, which was named 'Grand Winner' in the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust's 2024 Building Beauty Awards.
The Project also runs community programmes and partners with local schools and colleges, having recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bishop Auckland College to launch a strategic partnership that will strengthen skills development, create new employment opportunities, and enhance the town’s cultural and visitor economy.
Find out more about The Auckland Project
