Lindsell Art Gallery to brush up its business
OWNERS of a rural art gallery are aiming to put themselves firmly back in the picture after receiving vital funding to help fight a large dip in visitor numbers. Lindsell Art Gallery owners John and Judy Garrett have been running the villages paintings h
OWNERS of a rural art gallery are aiming to put themselves firmly back in the picture after receiving vital funding to help fight a large dip in visitor numbers.
Lindsell Art Gallery owners John and Judy Garrett have been running the villages' paintings haven for over 18 years - but have been hit hard by the recent recession.
During the past year the gallery saw a significant drop in visitors which led to an inevitable drop in sales, which is the lifeblood of any public gallery.
Help is at hand though in the form of the �1million Essex Life Raft Trust scheme launched by Essex County Council to help businesses through tough times.
Now Mr Garret and his wife are planning to use the cash to enhance and update their website to take advantage of an increase in demand for online sales.
John Garrett said: "We are delighted to have been given the much-needed opportunity to extend the digital side of the business.
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"I am being trained on how to update the website so that the items for sale are always current.
"Some of the money will also go towards advertising, giving us a greater presence on internet search engines which will widen our reach. We plan to offer a wider range of items in the future to broaden our appeal, too.
"The gallery and picture framing workshop will, of course, remain open as usual and we are always very happy to see real life visitors as well as virtual ones."
The newly enhanced website should be up and running by March. Meanwhile, visitors to the gallery can take advantage of 10 per cent off picture framing and 10 per cent off selected display items.
The website address www.lindsellartgallery.co.uk will remain the same, however new pages will be added to include a video tour of the gallery and its activities.
The Essex Life Raft Trust made available �1m in 2009-10 to attractions that provide a direct social and economic benefit to the people of Essex and that are open to all sectors of the community on a regular basis.
