Art success leads to pier gallery

The pier's owner is looking for an all-year round attraction

The owner of Colwyn Bay's Grade II listed Victoria pier is opening a full-time art gallery next year.

Steve Hunt, who bought the pier in 2003 - said he was looking for a venture which would be an all-year attraction.

He said he hoped to open the gallery next Easter after the success of temporary art exhibitions.

Artist Kath Daintith-Jones, who organised the exhibitions and teaches art classes on the pier, said visitors had attended from all over the world.

"I realised after buying the pier that Colwyn Bay is no longer a seaside town, but rather a town by the sea," said Mr Hunt, who said when he bought the place it was his childhood dream-come-true.

"It doesn't have a tourist trade any more and the pier was never going to survive on a few visitors for six weeks in the summer."

Art classes are held on the pier

A temporary art exhibition in 2005 proved to be so successful it was extended, and put on again this year.

Mr Hunt said he was working towards pushing the pier more up market.

"You have to think outside the box. Everyone was surprised, but if it works do it," he added.

Ms Daintith-Jones said that previous art exhibitions at the site had attracted widespread interest, and had bought different people to the pier.

"We had people as far away as Switzerland, Germany and Holland, sign the visitor book, and buy paintings, so work from the pier is now across the world," she said.