Integration and Development Plan - The "One Gallery" Project

The planned phase 3 of the project to improve the Stormont Studio and to integrate it - through an extension and glass link - to the Easton Rooms is complete. Early in may 2010 the Rye Conservation Society granted its 2010 townscape award to the project. On 21 May 2010 an event was held to commission the new link.

Phase 1 - Preliminaries : Early work saw the completion of improvements to vital infrastructure such as electrics, security, IT, storage and office space. The next involved a complete renovation of the Easton Rooms frontage on the High Street, including improved access for wheelchairs. This work benefited from a heritage grant from Renaissance Museums.

Phase 2 - Rear Stormont Extension: On 10th July 2008,work started on a two storey extension at the rear of the Stormont Studio to provide disabled toilet facilities, more storage and an improved kitchen. The latter has been funded by the Friends. This phase was completed in December 2008.

Phase 3 - The Stormont to Easton Link: Work on the groundworks for this phase ran in parallel with Phase 2 from summer 2008. From behind the Easton Rooms (was the old yard) some 50 tons of earth was removed and 50 tons of material brought in for concrete foundations and floors, supporting brickwork and related construction. Construction above the groundworks started in January 2009 with new walls, supporting steel for the Easton extension and renovation of the gazebo. A key milestone was reached when the Festival show opened on 12 September 2008 in the newly completed Easton Rooms extension. The heart of the project is the glass and steel link, which was completed on 20 May. A grand opening of the complete project is expected in early 2011.