Arts centre in Windsor expanding

Art and creative writing classes could start at a new site in Windsor from January after the Royal Borough gave the go-ahead for offices to be converted.

The Firestation Centre for Arts & Culture in St Leonards Road can now push ahead with its expansion plans, and transform Toko UK Ltd at 1-6 Ward Royal Parade in Alma Road.

A number of projects will be launched once the modifications to the building have been made. They could be completed by January.

Dan Eastmond, managing director at The Firestation, said: "We have made various applications at different sites which were never quite right so it's great that we have really got a really good site.

"The new building will give us an expansion to our classroom and workshop space to enable us to extend our arts and creative writing classes."

The Lemonade Gallery will be housed at the new site to showcase and support artists who have been working with the centre for a number of years.

Dan added: "We're also launching a new project next week called Prime where cultural entrepreneurs will have use of substantial office and studio space as well as access to mentoring and business support.

"The idea is to pick up and help people with ideas which are new and different. We hope to have six to eight individuals or projects running by January."

The site could also be home to a traditional Eagle etching press, a dark room and water-based screen printing equipment for educational workshops.

The application was approved by the council last month.