Aims - to restore & promote the publicly funded ‘Singers Links’ project, made with local children, improve the appearance of the redundant building, promote the town's artistic community and provide local (fast) food. The existing disabled loo will be converted to a food kiosk & the four other loos/urinal into four mini-galleries. Loop de Loop Gallery will be promoted via a website & artists are encouraged to use QR codes in the exhibition.
The glass blocks in the curved back wall of the toilet block hold hidden treasures! They record some of the key town businesses of yesteryear, including Singers, Butler & Tanner, Cooper Bussman & Notts Industries, with embedded artifacts from the old factories, prior to closure or moving out of town.
The glass block lighting is powered by a projector with side-emitting LED's. It is proposed that the wall is repaired and the glass blocks are restored by the original artist, Helga Watkins-Baker & that the projector is maintained by the project.
What we'll deliver:
- Remove boarding from all doors & reinstate ironmongery.
- Remove WC from disabled cubicle & install additional drainage, sink & power supply.
- Repair/reinstate glass blocks, side-emitting fibre-optics, projector repairs & wall repointing.
- Replace ‘gallery’ door panels with polycarbonate glazing & improve security.
- Alterations to provide shelving, panels, counters, noticeboard, key boxes, etc.
- Clean down & repaint external walls, inc. new graphics & signing.
- Create hatch for food kiosk. Improvements to lighting & power circuits.
- Drawings & planning application for change of use.
- Equipment - fridge, freezer, controls, lighting, sink, worktop, etc. Plus contingency items.
- Gutter & downpipe repairs & cleaning of building & stonework.
Why it's a great idea:
The toilet block was abandoned by the District Council in 2007 and has been a boarded-up eyesore in the centre of town ever since. We want to turn it into a showcase for our wide range of local artists who are often hidden away in their homes and studios. We want to give low cost space for existing food providers to show off their wares and we want to give opportunities to young people with new business ideas.
All these things come together in this tiny building right in the centre of the town.
Steps to get it done:
- Basic equipment, materials, paint & tools
- Catering equipment - sink, hw boiler & fridge
- Contingency
- Electrical work
- Management
- Plumbing & Decoration
- Project management
- Shelving, fittings, joinery
- Tables & chairs
- Website, booking system & promotion
- Fees, insurance & licenses
- Ironmongery & security
- Planning application & drawings
- Wall & glass block repairs, projector repair
We have had wonderful support from the artistic community via Creative Frome. The first public fundraising event (at the Frome Super Market) raised £500 & allowed for repairs to the projector and the Environmental Health tests to be completed.