A NEW boutique gallery has opened up in Clitheroe and now the owners are aiming to turn the town into an ‘art hub’.

Tony Bentley and his wife Julia have opened up The Keep, an art and home shop based in Castlegate, after wanting to try something new.

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The couple are keen on showcasing work from artists across East Lancashire as well as work from as far as Cornwall.

Tony, who grew up in Langho, left his job as a graphic designer at Hapton-based CFH to concentrate on his art work which then lead him on to open the gallery.

He said: “We have had lots of interest and have been really busy since we opened.

“We’re also very proud to be stockists of the famous Leach pottery from St.Ives in Cornwall, considered by many to be the birthplace of British studio pottery. It was quite a coup for a small gallery like ours.”

Tony and Julia aim to host open nights at The Keep and run exhibitions with other gallery owners in the area such as nearby Longitude Art Gallery and Platform Gallery.

“I am looking forward to working with other gallery owners in the area and we have had small talks about putting on some sort of exhibition, although nothing is set in stone yet, for the future. It’s a very exciting time for Clitheroe,” said Tony.

Julia gave up her work at the Old Vicarage Nursery to take on a new challenge and said she has gone for a more ‘relaxed’ atmosphere for the gallery.

Julia, originally from Barrow, said: “We love looking at beautiful art but have sometimes felt a bit intimidated by the more traditional galleries, so we wanted to create a more relaxed and less formal space in which to browse contemporary artworks.” and design-led unique homewares alongside handmade jewellery, stylish books and even artist-made greetings cards.

“We hope that everyone will feel welcome as we believe that art should not be exclusive and can be a part of every home, whether as sculpture, painting, coaster or teapot.”