AN ART gallery is expected to reopen next year as work to breath new life into the building is set to begin in the coming weeks.

Phase one of works to redevelop Abbot Hall in Kendal will see the upgrading of electrics, the laying of new flooring and redecorating.

The Grade I listed gallery closed just before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Arts and heritage charity Lakeland Arts has been given the go ahead to reopen as early as possible in 2023 by South Lakeland District Council (SLDC), which owns the building and is managing the redevelopment.

The council aims for the project to begin in the ‘coming weeks’, meaning Lakeland Arts can reopen the gallery as soon as possible next year.

Read more: Decision made on repairs and refurbishments at popular art gallery

Councillor Robin Ashcroft, South Lakeland District Council portfolio holder for economy, culture and leisure, said:“As a Grade I listed building, we have a duty to make sure we are taking great care to maintain and protect Abbot Hall as an important asset for the Kendal community. It’s also critical that the environmental standards within the building enable Lakeland Arts to be able to show internationally significant exhibitions to maintain the gallery’s reputation.

“In common with many capital programmes across the country at this time, the project has faced a variety of challenges and impacts from circumstances beyond our control, including the knock-on effects of the pandemic and cost of living crisis, which has had direct implications for things like material costs and timescales.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while we worked hard with our partners to resolve these issues and we are delighted that work is now progressing and look forward to seeing the building reopen next year.’’

Abbot Hall has been home to the Lakeland Arts collection for 60 years and the charity’s collection includes a variety of painted works from acclaimed portrait painter George Romney, as well as work by Dame Barbara Hepworth, JMW Turner and John Ruskin.

The Lakeland Arts Trust fundraised to save the building from being demolished and opened it as a gallery to showcase the collection in 1962.

Rhian Harris, chief executive of Lakeland Arts said: “We are very much looking forward to the works being finalised so we can reopen for visitors next year.

“We are pleased phase one of the Abbot Hall redevelopment work will begin shortly and we are able to confirm the much anticipated commission and exhibition by internationally recognised artist Julie Brook will go ahead alongside the reopening next year.”

The exhibition will be a multimedia experience of Brook’s work created during residencies in the UK and Japan and will include a new installation on the Abbot Hall site using stone from a local quarry, in response to the Cumbrian environment.