Hayloft in Christchurch closes as artists charity CADarts calls it a 'very special little place'

A BID to to save the Hayloft art gallery from being sold has failed, leaving local artists searching for a new home to display their talents.

For 20 years the Christchurch landmark building has welcomed people of all backgrounds to exhibit their creativity.

But poor health forced the building’s landlord to put it up for sale leading to a "race against time" for supporters of the Hayloft to collect enough cash to buy it themselves.

A Kickstarter campaign was launched but only £10,000 of the £38,000 needed was raised.

The Hayloft is managed by CADArts (Christchurch and District Arts), a 40-year-old charity comprising hundreds of local artists and arts groups.

It had earlier revealed it would take at least £100,000 to buy the building itself, and the charity was hoping for grants from the government and other organisations to help it keep the Hayloft as a base.

But it has now announced its efforts have failed and the building has been sold.

Linda Patterson, chair of CADArts, told the A&T: “We are very sad at its loss, and it's pretty painful going.

“It’s a very special little place and everybody loves it. We are here packing everything up with nowhere to go.”

Ms Patterson said that currently there are no other similar places in Christchurch where artists can exhibit.

She said: “It is not the landlord’s fault. He very generously offered us an extension on our lease for a year and we were hoping to get grants which would have enabled us to carry on.

“But it takes so long to get a grant we simply ran out of time and, sadly, our landlord’s health took a turn for the worse. The Hayloft had to be sold quickly.”

She said there had been “people queuing up” to buy the building, originally part of a farm in Wick Lane which was sold off for redevelopment.

Ms Patterson said: “I expect it will be redeveloped but I’m not sure what as. At the moment it only has permission to be an arts and crafts space.

“I hope something lovely is made out of it.”