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LEYTONSTONE: Former Woolworths building to become art gallery

5:46pm Monday 1st June 2009 in


THE empty Woolworths building in Leytonstone is to be temporarily converted into an art gallery.

As part of the Leytonstone Arts Trail, the building will be home to various works of art for three weeks from June 27.

The exhibition will include paintings, sculptures, and film, as well as site-specific installations inspired by the building itself.

Curated by local residents, it was put together by volunteer artists, supporters of the trail and the council.

Project co-ordinator Chris Davies said: “I am so excited. I'm really looking forward to the opening on June 27.

“With the addition of the fantastic space in ex-Woolworths as a venue, this year's Leytonstone Arts Trail promises to bring renowned artists to Leytonstone as well as attract a wide audience for local talent.”

She has also been working with voluntary groups in order to secure more opportunities for the arts in Leytonstone.

The gallery will be open over four weekends during the Arts Trail, from June 27 to July 19. Families and school visits are welcome and admission is free.

Full details will appear on the Arts Trail map, available in Leytonstone libraries, 491 Gallery and participating cafés later this month.

For more information, visit leytonstoneartstrail.org

The former Woolworths building has now come back into council ownership from the administrator Deloitte.

The council is currently trying to find a buyer for the site.

Comments(15)

Huw Myles says...
5:52pm Mon 1 Jun 09

Lovely, another empty shop for Leytonstones ghost town environment.

The area has become so run down with crime and drugs that nobody wants top invest a carrot there.

They should make the 'Art Trail' lead towards Woodford where there appears to be civilisation.

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KWyatt-Lown says...
6:16pm Mon 1 Jun 09

I championed the use of this space for Arts and Culture from the time it closed and I'm really delighted to see someone having the sense to finally release the building for the community good.

Mr Myles' comments are unworthy of the Arts community in the Borough and the contribution that art and culture in general can make to any area. It can help community engagement and interaction as well as making people feel better within themselves and about the world around them.

Get involved Mr Myles and do your bit for “bringing civilization” to your own doorstep. You might discover things you never knew, or be inspired by what others are achieving. Enjoy the show!

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Huw Myles says...
6:46pm Mon 1 Jun 09

KWyatt-Lown wrote:
I championed the use of this space for Arts and Culture from the time it closed and I'm really delighted to see someone having the sense to finally release the building for the community good.

Mr Myles' comments are unworthy of the Arts community in the Borough and the contribution that art and culture in general can make to any area. It can help community engagement and interaction as well as making people feel better within themselves and about the world around them.

Get involved Mr Myles and do your bit for “bringing civilization” to your own doorstep. You might discover things you never knew, or be inspired by what others are achieving. Enjoy the show!
Yes great, so we can blame you for the dire and dismal, further downturn can we? That place is not going to bring job prospects to the locals.

The whole Borough is becoming like a ghost town. Arcade site opened up as God knows what now, the EMD after years of interference by people wanting cosy exclusive cinemas, Dog Track now a waste site, Leytonstone High Road like Dodge City, Leyton High Road like a ramshackle third world bazaar. The Art Trail is not going to help what is left of the hard working shopkeepers.

People displaying their 'Art' probably get it all rent and rates free so will drag this out as long as they can.

Sickening!

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techiebabe says...
7:19pm Mon 1 Jun 09

I disagree, Huw. The Arts Trail will attract people to Leytonstone, thus benefiting shopkeepers with passing trade. Those premises which are also exhibiting art should also benefit from extra visitors.

At present, Woolworths is empty and disused, and starting to attract fly posting and get broken windows. If there's no prospect of someone using it as a shop in the immediate future then surely using the premises to host an art exhibition is a vast improvement.

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Redfox says...
10:20pm Mon 1 Jun 09

Before passing judgement I think it would be appropriate to learn who currently owns the building and who has agreed to this temporary useage. That surely can't be deemed commercially sensitive information - unless somebody in council has something to hide?

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KWyatt-Lown says...
11:00pm Mon 1 Jun 09

Hmmm..OK Mr.Myles, I was ready for a sensible and rational debate on the issue until I got accused of closing Walthamstow Dog Track!

No matter, I'm sure there will be people who enjoy the event, local traders who do enjoy some spin off business and something of a sense of well-being about a space being used other than by fly-poster companies. But you can't satisfy everyone.

By the way, in answer to Redfox, I don't believe there is any secret about it. The landlords of the building are none other than those champions of Arts and Culture, the London Borough of Waltham Forest.

PS For anyone who may be not be aware of my involvement in campaigns over the last few years in relation to the woeful Arts and Culture provision within this Borough, the last comment was unbelievably ironic.

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LoveLeytonstone says...
11:38pm Mon 1 Jun 09

I think the idea of using the Woolies building as a gallery space is a really exciting idea! Can't wait to see what goes into it. I think it is different and really good for our town centre. It will bring people to Leytonstone that would not have thought to come at any other time. I think this is great news!

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mdj says...
12:12am Tue 2 Jun 09

Come on, Mr Myles, local artists didn't close Woolies, but they're trying to make the best of the situation. You obviously care about the Borough, but why the negativity? None of us can do a huge amount single-handed, so just get stuck in to some community activity, meet some lively-minded and positive people, and see what you can help MAKE happen! You may have ideas that the rest of us haven't thought of. Ever heard the saying, Fellowship is Life? It's true. Jump in ,the water's lovely: join the swimmers.

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JonathanB says...
7:07am Tue 2 Jun 09

Now somebody should do the same with the Walathamstow Woolies. There's a thriving artistic community here and it would be great if we could show it off.

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jrp says...
10:56am Tue 2 Jun 09

This area needs re-generation, and a temporary art gallery is not going to do that. The council needs to get this area back on it's feet, but does not seem to know what to do.

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Huw Myles says...
11:58am Tue 2 Jun 09

jrp wrote:
This area needs re-generation, and a temporary art gallery is not going to do that. The council needs to get this area back on it's feet, but does not seem to know what to do.
Some people think that this is a good idea because they view what is happening around wearing rose tinted specs. The High Road in leytonstone has slowly and steadily deterioated down the pan since the late 60's and this is another nail in the coffin. 'Locals' these days do not know of the busy establishments that existed at the the area between the bridge and the Thatched House. The Thatched House Pub is and eyesore itself. Thriving quality restaurants have vanished. The decay and rot has crept in to the Green man End.

Mention is made of the 491 establishment in Grove Green Road. This lot are essentially a bunch of squatters. have a look at the state of that place and the back garden view from the bridge. What quality firm would realistically want to invest in the High Road with one of the remaining Art Deco buildings being turned into an Art Trail?

The rot will continue as all money is going into Stratford.

One thing is for sure, the dignitaries will not be driven through the Ghost Town of Leytonstone during the Olympics.

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Walthamster says...
3:02pm Tue 2 Jun 09

I agree with JonathanB. Walthamstow High Street was deteriorating into a sad string of pound shops until some lively cafes started opening a few years ago. That's the one good thing about the place now, apart from the market.

But the area is full of art and life, and it would be good to see Woollies at the heart of it again. Come on WF council, it's not going to cost much!

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AvidLondonReader says...
6:16pm Tue 2 Jun 09

Personally I'm willing to give anything a try. BUT...how about some of the existing stores cleaning up their acts by keeping the front of their shops clear or rubbish (particularly the chicken fast food place opposite the station) and fining litter louts. I see it every single day. Also, how about they CLEAN their windows now and then. Many shops look filthy and I never want to go in there!

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mdj says...
1:30am Wed 3 Jun 09

Again, Mr Myles: These people are doing what they can with what they have to offer, which is all anyone can do. It's entirely true that the High Road has deteriorated: Sainsbury's, the large Post Office, BHS, at least one bank, all gone, and Bearmans and Russell and Bromley if you look far enough back. A friend had a theory that the Labour Party liked to keep E11 stagnant and down-at-heel, because it discouraged aspirational people from moving in and stirring up the status quo. I used to think he was paranoid, but as years go by and nothing improves, I'm not so sure. What's YOUR master plan for regeneration, by the way? Artists doing improvised things in converted buildings have achieved some remarkable things in other places, but if you've got better ideas, we surely need to hear them!

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jef costello says...
1:06pm Wed 3 Jun 09

Hear, hear MDJ.

A gallery - however temporary - is a great idea.

Huw Myles - The retail glory days aren't ever coming back to Leytonstone, especially with a Westfield opening down the road.



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