Art project will help brighten up the town

Windows in Commercial Street and Alfred’s Way will be transformed into exhibition spaces for art and other displays to help brighten up the town.

The old Shoe Zone unit has already been done with the help of Mark Milnes, artistic director of Creative Arts Hub, based in Mirfield.

“I think it’s great to have the artwork going into shops,” said Mr Milnes. “From the point of view of the artists involved there’s likely to be many more people seeing their work than ever there would be in a traditional gallery space.

“When we put a call-out for exhibitors, we had a very positive response, so I’m sure that we’re going to see an excellent, varied selection of work on display over the coming months.

“It’s great to be involved in the project, which feels to be a natural extension of my other work with local gallery spaces – and a very positive development for the town centre.”

Batley Business Association (BBA) chairman, Andrew Marsden has been working with Tesco to allow the units in Alfred’s Way to be used in the project.

“Mark has done a fantastic job with the first window,” he said.

The old Fulton’s Foods unit has been earmarked as the next site to benefit from the project.