An exciting project for Sudbury.

Gainsborough Chambers

At the end of last week I went to see the Director of Gainsborough's House, Mark Bills, to take a look at early stage plans for the planned extension to the Museum.

For those who didn't see the article in the Free Press this week, Babergh District Council has purchased Gainsborough Chambers, an empty office building with car park in Weavers Lane, which lies immediately behind the garden of Gainsborough's House.  The Council will  hold the property on behalf of the museum while funds are raised to create a major extension to the museum.

View of Gainsborough's House from the Window of the acquired building

This is really going to be a fantastic project which will, when complete, create a world class destination celebrating the art and life of Thomas Gainsborough, plus a regional centre for printmaking and artistic endeavour generally.  Think Suffolk's own Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust, and all the knock on benefits that that has brought to Stratford over the years.

The project will bring many more visitors to the Town, thus helping the local shops and economy, and will also create a fantastic community asset for local people.

The amount of additional space that the building brings to the museum is considerable, and there is scope to do a great deal.  Improved office space, a better temporary gallery for exhibitions, more space for the shop and the cafe, a dedicated gallery for the print workshop, a dedicated 'wet room' for children, are all possibilities.

The interior of the building is light and airy, although how much of the existing structure will ultimately be used is still being considered.

Inside the building