Disappointment in Beeston as art installation in empty shop window is stopped – Nottinghamshire Live

Artists in a Nottinghamshire town have been left disappointed after an arranged display in a former Argos store's window was paused due to concerns over Covid-19.

Creatives in Beeston had planned to install some of their work into the empty shop window in the town's square to "lift hearts" during the pandemic and improve what can be a "lifeless" area with a display called The Beeston Showcase.

Organised as an off-shoot of the Beeston Street Art Project, the display was put on hold after concerns were raised over a potential Covid-19 risk despite organisers saying social distancing measures were observed and only one household bubble being inside the premises.

The full display - which was due to be installed on Monday (February 15) and seen by artists as a way to keep spirits high in the town during the lockdown - has now been put on hold until restrictions have eased.

Local artist Jet Black, who lives in neighbouring Attenborough and had a number of pieces due to be displayed at the empty shop, said: "We are all in extreme anxiety right now and the lockdown will have some sort of post-traumatic impact on people.

"I live on my own with my cat and it can be really lonely. People are hardly going into Beeston's Square because of the restrictions.

"This a mass experience of fear - none of which is joyful.

"Seeing some art and creativity really lifts the heart and can open people's eyes. There's a sense of joy and perspective that it brings and that's what the Beeston Street Art Project aimed to do here.

"It would be a great pleasure in a time of gloom for The Square which is lifeless at the moment.

"People are stopping to look at the partial display that has gone up and that's good to know.

"So many artists are self-employed or freelancers. They're out of work right now, not eligible for furlough, and their incomes have been drastically hit.

"I think the council made this decision without fully looking to see if its organisers were operating safely, which I believe they were."

A letter written by Jet and sent to Broxtowe Borough Council regarding it's u-turn over the display has been signed by 76 people.

Jet believes the display offered the artists opportunities to make a sale on their work. It currently only has around half as many pieces of work on display as planned.

Jeanie Barton, a local musician who organised The Beeston Showcase and Beeston Street Art Project was dressing the shop window with art pieces when she was told to leave the site.

She said: "It's disappointing that the installation was stopped by a complaint. I look forward to completing and improving the windows as soon as I'm allowed."

A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council added: "The Governments current Covid regulations and restrictions do not allow non-essential activity.

"As a local authority, we are required to provide a community leadership on public health issues, therefore we continue to retain a prudent and cautious approach to prevent the spread of Covid infections.

"Previously, due to a misunderstanding, the premises were opened mistakenly, and once this was discovered, we were required, under government guidance, to close the premises.

"Over the coming months, we will review the position, in line with the Governments announcements on easing Covid restrictions."

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Disappointment in Beeston as art installation in empty shop window is stopped - Nottinghamshire Live