Historic gallery turned into Pilates studio
GoogleA former gallery known for exhibitions documenting working class life has been turned into a Pilates and wellness studio.
The Side was opened in Newcastle by the Amber film and photography collective, which aimed to capture and celebrate life in north-east England, in 1977.
The gallery shut in April 2023 due to "critical funding cuts and the cost of living crisis".
There had been hopes it would reopen in the future but the collective's head Laura Laffler confirmed in December the plans had been permanently dropped.
On its website, the team said running a permanent gallery was "no longer financially viable in the current funding climate".
In an open letter, Ms Laffler said the decision had been made following a consultation and "expert guidance" from across the arts and heritage sector.
She said the collective would instead showcase its collection via its digital archive and by working with others such as "high profile exhibition partners" and heritage centres.
Ms Laffler said the team would be sharing more details on new partnerships soon.
The gallery was forced to close after the Amber collectivesaid it had been told in November 2022 that it would no longer receive Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funding.
It had been given £120,000 a year from the fund for the previous four years.
New tenants have reopened the building as a health and wellness centre, called Reform Studios, offering activities such as Pilates, meditation and sound healing.
