Gallery closure slammed

The Thebes Gallery in Lewes was closed on December 16 after owner Lewes District Council decided to use the space for offices.

The district council has been accused of rushing the closure which provoked protests from its own councillors.

Lewes Town Council's planning committee this week discussed a planning application to change the use of the building from art gallery to offices.

Members were unanimous in their condemnation of the closure.

Cllr Ruth O'Keeffe said: 'This is very sad indeed. I don't think it was at all sensible. The reasons for closure were just not sufficient.'

Cllr Merlin Milner said the closure would affect the whole community.

He said: 'It's very unfair for people to say it's just the arty people who will lose out, it wasn't there for commercial artists it was a community space for everybody.'

The final decision will be made by the district council's planning committee.