A NORTHWICH artist hopes London Road Studios’ heritage will be preserved after former owners Mid Cheshire College (MCC) completed the sale of the building.

The studios, which were used as the college’s arts department until last August, have been sold to developers Kerriline Developments Ltd, with both its former owners and part-time tenants, the London Road Collective (LRC), hoping developers will retain its ‘heritage features’.

Wanda Ford, vice principal of MCC, said:  “We are very pleased to have completed the sale of London Road Studios and we hope the building will be sympathetically developed by the new owners.”

Carolyn Shepherd, who founded the LRC, said: “I am disappointed that MCC has taken the decision to sell the building to a developer. I hope that the heritage features will be preserved and that any plan for its future use respects the huge historical significance that the building has to Northwich.

“I would not like to see the building converted to the flats and I hope the developer considers other imaginative options which would bring benefit to the community to which this building was originally gifted.”

The LRC took up occupancy of the studios in October 2012 to begin a six-month project with the support of the college, showcasing how the building could be used as an arts venue for Northwich with national significance.

“We were gathering market research for a business case and inviting discussions so that strategic partnerships could be formed that would enable this heritage treasure to be kept for the community,” explained Carolyn.

In December, the LRC were asked to vacate the building to enable roof repairs to be carried out.

Carolyn added: “We were waiting for MCC’s go-ahead to re-enter the building but this didn’t materialise and we later heard that a sale had been agreed.”

The LRC are now operating out of studio and gallery space in Navigation Road.

What do you think? Email emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk