Thousands back call to sell fire station to artist

MORE than 3,400 people have signed a petition calling on Northumberland County Council to sell Hexham’s old fire station to Angel of the North artist Sir Antony Gormley.

- JAMES ROBINSON Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

It comes after the council's cabinet confirmed it will press ahead with plans to demolish the site to make way for an extension to the existing waste and recycling depot.

The move has prompted a furious row with the Conservative-led administration and Hexham councillors. The council argue that the cost of relocating the depot would be prohibitive, while Hexham members claim the town is being robbed of a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

Angel of the North creator Sir Antony had hoped to use the fire station as a storage facility for his artwork, with plans to exhibit some of his work in the future via his charity The Foundation Foundation. Thousands of residents have now signed a petition calling for the site to be sold to the world-renowned sculptor.

Hexham East councillor Suzanne Fairless-Aitken said: “It's utter rubbish. Antony Gormley would’ve paid market value which would be up to £400,000.

“I am absolutely fuming. There was an emergency meeting at 8.30am on the morning of the cabinet meeting to decide this — just after the petition to sell the site to Gormley went live.

“This will go to Gateshead Council. They're desperate and we will lose out as a town.