Bailiffs seize works in Art Works Gallery rent dispute

Oct 2 2009 by David Whetstone, The Journal

BAILIFFS were ordered by council officials to seize paintings and other art works from a gallery after rent on the building went unpaid.

Newcastle City Council is now appealing to artists whose pieces were taken from the Art Works Gallery, at the top of Stepney Bank, Byker, to collect it from the bailiffs.

Yesterday, Nick Rowley, the council’s head of property services, said they had until October 21 to retrieve their work, after which it could be sold.

He said steps were being taken to retrieve rent owed by Matt Forster. He ran the Art Works Galleries but started to fall into arrears in 2007.

Mr Rowley said Mr Forster had expressed an interest in establishing a gallery in the former Tyne Tees TV warehouse in 2006.

The council, keen to support the arts in the area, had agreed to take on the lease from the landlord, Tyne Tees, which runs until next June.

Meanwhile part of the building was occupied and refurbished for film screenings, music gigs and other cultural activities by the Star & Shadow Cinema, a community-interest charity.

Run by volunteers, it has more than 4,000 members, who pay £1 a year.

The Star & Shadow became a sub-tenant of Mr Forster, paying rent which he was meant to pass on to the council.