The town where stars such as Doctor Who actress Billie Piper and 1950s pin-up Diana Dors were born is seeking to make itself a genuine rival to places like London when it comes to the arts.
A brand new gallery and museum that will compete with the finest in the capital is set to be the focal point of Swindon’s cultural quarter, and is expected to cost £17.5m to construct.
The existing building, which was built during the 1940s and is located within the Old Town, houses a remarkable collection – including pieces by LS Lowry and Lucian Freud – but is too small to adequately display all of the artworks.
Alongside the larger gallery, Swindon’s cultural quarter will feature a new venue for live concerts, a theatre, and several bars and restaurants.
Local art collector and Hiscox Insurance founder Robert Hiscox is championing the campaign. He told the Telegraph that the town was not currently a destination for tourists, adding:
“But it has an art collection which everyone admires, a good ceramics collection, and a great science and engineering heritage. We want to combine all of those in the new museum and gallery.”
Once it is completed, brochure printers in Swindon will be able to help showcase the attractions on offer.