Support for old fire station plans in Hexham, Northumberland

A unanimous motion was passed at a Hexham Town Council meeting where proposals were discussed to transform the vacant old fire station in town into a site for preserving and exhibiting artworks by internationally acclaimed sculptor, Sir Antony Gormley, for future generations.

Councillors called for Northumberland County Council to acknowledge the benefits this would bring to Hexham and its potential to boost the ongoing 'Arts Town Initiative', launched by the town council. 

This would make Hexham the first official 'Arts Town' in Great Britain.

The plans include transforming the old fire station into a site to preserve artworks by internationally acclaimed sculptor, Sir Antony Gormley (Image: Chrissie Iliffe 2025) The meeting, held on September 8, saw the town council explain Gormley's business proposal to purchase and use the redundant building for his established charity, The Foundation Foundation, which supports emerging artists’ first exhibitions in a museum or public gallery.

The site owners, Northumberland County Council, planned to demolish the fire station building on the Tyne Mills Industrial Estate, but this is on hold while the artist's business case is reviewed.

The fire station building would be replaced by 'the creation of a new vehicle maintenance workshop and staff welfare facilities' by the council.

The old fire station in Hexham (Image: Chrissie Iliffe 2025) In an artist statement, Mr Gormley said housing his charity there would demonstrate 'the increasingly important role that Hexham plays in the evolution and exhibition of my work internationally'.

READ MORE: Community backs Antony Gormley's vision for Hexham's old fire station

Gormley's plans have been received with 'delight' by councillors, existing arts venues and residents, with at least 600 people signing a letter of support to attempt to convince leaders of the county council to approve plans.

The county council plans to create 'a new vehicle maintenance workshop and staff welfare facilities' at the site (Image: Chrissie Iliffe 2025) During the town council meeting, councillors discussed the long-term benefits such a development would bring, including attracting more visitors to the town and boosting revenue and the area's cultural capital.

Gormley, the creator of the Angel of the North, is 75 years old and aspires to leave a lasting legacy for Hexham through repurposing the old fire station.

Deputy mayor and councillor Penny Grennan said: "We do not want to lose this [opportunity]. What we want to do is find a solution that suits everybody, and knocking down the existing building is not it.

"The benefit to the town overall is huge," she added. "How many times do we have to talk about cultural capital and the fact that the arts bring in £8 for every £1 spent?"

According to the House of Commons, the creative industries contributed around £124 billion to the economy in 2023 in terms of gross value added, amounting to around 5 per cent of the UK's total economic output.

Mayor Derek Kennedy described the opportunity as 'outstanding', stating: "This is the only opportunity we would get to deliver an Antony Gormley legacy for this town.

"If he doesn't get this, I've said it to the county council, there's a risk he goes elsewhere. This is his legacy, we have one chance of this and no more. Once that building's demolished, I think it's over." 

He added that the old fire station has stood empty for 10 years, while there are various other empty sites where the council's new depot could be based.

Cllr Kennedy outlined the support shown in response to the proposals, including from Hexham's MP Joe Morris, the Newcastle and Northumberland Society, plus individuals signing the letter of support.

Gormley submitted the case to the county council in August, and the council has stated it would work with the Antony Gormley Foundation to 'ensure we secure the best outcome for the town'; however, no formal decision has been made.

Council leader Glen Sanderson said: "We would very much welcome a new tourist attraction to the local area, particularly one associated with such an internationally renowned artist.

"We have been supporting the Foundation to look at various options, including the old fire station as well as other potential sites and to understand the Foundation's aspirations and ambitions while ensuring the operational needs of the council can be balanced.

"At this early stage no decisions have been made. We will be meeting local councillors in the coming weeks to explain in detail the proposals for the creation of a new vehicle maintenance workshop and staff welfare facilities at the former fire station site to support the effective and efficient delivery of front-line services in the west of the county.

"It's really important we understand exactly what is proposed and I have organised a meeting this week for all parties to progress this. I have also written to Sir Antony Gormley and his team expressing my commitment to continue to work with them to ensure we secure the best outcome for the town."

Mr Gormley opened a studio on Haugh Lane, Hexham, 20 years ago and hopes by acquiring the old fire station, 'a new era of public-facing activity would begin'.

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