Art gallery seeks support to avoid closure

The lease on the building runs out in March 2025

An art gallery in Leicester is trying to raise £450,000 after being told the building it currently rents is to be sold.

Two Queens has been based in a former warehouse in Queen Street, within the city's cultural quarter, since 2012.

However when the lease on the building expires in March the building is set to be sold.

The gallery said it had received more than £100,000 so far, as part of a fundraising campaign.

Gallery director Dan Kelly said: "We have a long way to go.

"But we are delighted with the support we have had so far which will help us leverage further grants.

"I want to thank everyone who has supported us.

"We are a community-based organisation and we really want to carry on with our work.

"I don't think we'd be able to get another place in the city centre."

Gallery director Dan Kelly said he was grateful for money pledged so far

The gallery is used by 45 artists to exhibit their work but also runs projects to help teenagers and young adults in the city, as well as people with mental health issues.

It also opens its doors to families looking to take part in art sessions.

The building's owner Sally Norman told the BBC she had bought it as an investment and now wanted to sell it to the gallery as she approached retirement.

She said she was pleased with the progress the gallery had made.

She said: "It shows that people believe enough in what they are doing to support them with their hard-earned money."