Preston’s Art and Design (PAD) Gallery is to close, Preston City Council has announced.

From the end of October the PAD gallery on Birley Street will close to the public before being fully wound down in December.

Councillor Anthony Gornall, cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “We simply can no longer afford to keep PAD open. Everyone knows that public funds are under such huge pressure at the moment and we have to look at all areas of council spending. At £85,000 a year it is just not economic to keep PAD running. It would be like adding 1 per cent on council tax alone just to keep PAD open.

“We would like to thank everyone who has been involved with PAD over the last few years and it has certainly helped to support and promote the creative talent in the city. We are looking to identify other outlets for the artists displaying at PAD and with Preston Guild 2012 and the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, we will continue to explore ways of expressing Preston’s creative potential in the future.”  

PAD first opened in 2006 in Church Street, Preston and was established through external Government funding. In 2008, PAD moved to its current location at the former Post Office Building on Birley Street, Preston and has been funded by Preston City Council.

Three people are currently employed at PAD and they will be considered for redeployment within the council.