Hampshire Cultural trust have been successful in securing Round 2 funding of £1.78 million by the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Allen Gallery and Gardens project in Alton that we have helped develop. This alongside further funding from East Hampshire District Councils’ Community Infrastructure Levy and Alton Town Councils Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy will allow the project to move forward into construction next year.

The proposals will see significant improvements to the internal layout changing the way in which the spaces are utilised; increasing accessible gallery space, improving the café and retail spaces, making better connections between the garden and building and installing all new interpretation and exhibition throughout the galleries.

The project aims to create a modern visitor attraction that will enable community programmes, improve access and create a strong visitor offer that appeals to a wider audience, realising the Allen Gallery’s potential to become cultural hub at the heart of the town and significantly increasing visitor numbers. Planning and Listed Building Consent for the works were granted in May.