Please note Hampshire Art & Craft CIC and our gallery, Rum's Eg, is sadly now closed for business.
We intend to keep this website online for a year as a memorial to all that was achieved over the six years' rich and inspirational life of this much-loved, self-sustaining, community arts enterprise and all who worked with us, for us or supported the venture.
Notice of Rum’s Eg closure - with effect from Sunday 1st April 2018
(posted 28th March 2018, updated July 2018)
It is with deep regret that Hampshire Art & Craft CIC will be ceasing to trade with effect from Sunday 1st April. This difficult decision to put the company into voluntary liquidation has been made by the directors following a significant period of decreasing sales which has left us in a position where we cannot continue to trade. We have worked extremely hard, together with the help of a team of volunteers who are very experienced in finance and business management to investigate all the possible ways we could have kept Rum’s Eg going.
We came close to this point in June 2017 and we are extremely grateful for the support and money raised at that time which allowed us to continue trading and bought us some time to reassess the business model. Unfortunately, despite progress made in many areas, the failure to secure Arts funding for project development and the timing of the closure of Bell Street for street enhancements, since September 2017, proved too big a challenge and in order to protect our creditors as much as possible we had no option than to take this decision.
We know that hundreds of you have contributed personally to this enterprise, and had hoped, like us, to see it succeed. Many have given time, money and support as customers and we cannot thank you enough. The support of this community is what kept us going for so long despite all the odds.
Over the past six years we have supported the work and development of hundreds of talented artists and makers; we have delivered community projects in schools and through numerous art and craft workshops many new opportunities have been provided for teaching, public participation and social wellbeing. Our café became a dearly loved community hub providing a meeting place and social space for many. There are also many successful spin-off projects which were supported by the CIC, including Rum’s Eg Singers, Prescription Arts Test Valley (now a registered charity), Tea Poets Collective and youth arts projects in collaboration with The Arts Society which are all set to continue.
We are hopeful that there might be another way for the vision and purpose behind Hampshire Art & Craft CIC, to continue in a different form, building upon the valued network and partnerships we have built over the years. We will be continuing to trade until Saturday 31st March, and will be running a closing down sale on Saturday 31st, to clear retail stock, as well as many fixtures, fittings and equipment. Any scheduled workshops after 31st March will aim to be rearranged at an alternative venue. We will be in touch with customers who have booked places with further details. We regret that we are unable to refund any gift vouchers purchased or workshop bookings at this point. Gift vouchers may still be spent up to 31st March.
The two day 'Pop-up Art & Craft Show' 13-14 April at Rum's Eg finished things off on a much happier note. Many of our regular artists and makers took stands and traded directly with hundreds of customers for one last time in Bell Street, donating a generous 25% of their takings to the creditors pot.
We are deeply sorry to have reached this point, these are challenging times in the Arts sector and on the high street as the news tells us every day.
With great sadness,
Siriol Sherlock & Colin Phillips
(Directors, Hampshire Art & Craft CIC)
|
where art meets communityA stylish, affordable Art & Craft Gallery with a Cafe
|
Rum's Eg was set up as a creative centre by Hampshire Art & Craft CIC - a Community Interest Company dedicated to supporting artists and craftsmen, promoting and conserving the rich and varied art and craft of this region and using the Visual Arts to encourage public awareness, art and craft education and participation, health and social well-being.
Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 4.30, Sundays 10.30 - 4.30. Please note we are closed Mondays.
Our four month programme of Exhibitions, Workshops and Events is out now - drop by Rum's Eg to pick one up.
Our four month programme of Exhibitions, Workshops and Events is out now - drop by Rum's Eg to pick one up.
|
|
|
March Featured Maker | Cathy McCarthy
Bespoke Wedding rings
|
The Teapoet Collective
|
New Volunteer & Job Opportunities
|
Latest NewsSave Rum's Eg Appeal
Call for Volunteers Arts Council Bid New Friends Membership
great incentives to join |
Visitor's Comments
"A truly beautiful space; incredible selection of works and a wonderful ethos of supporting artists and communities." |
"Oh my goodness, I will always shop here in the future! Beautiful pieces, beautifully presented, congrats to all." |
"Brilliant to see such a wide range of arts and crafts which are affordable. A definite asset to Romsey town." |
|
in addition to contributions from many individual Patrons who helped to found and fund Rum's Eg, we are most grateful to the following organisations for capital funding or practical support:
Click here to read more about supporting Rum's Eg....
|
Winner of Test Valley Business Awards 2013 'Business in the Community'
|
