Teignmouth Arts Action Group (TAAG) is to close for six weeks in the new year for the third phase of its rebuild.

The community hub and gallery will close on Monday January 4 and reopen on Friday February 20.

Planned works include: the creation of a large community workshop space on the first floor; the installation of electrics and plumbing on the first floor; and the addition of four new windows to add light to the upper floors.

On the ground floor, a new corridor will create a third gallery. Gallery One will be extended and Gallery Two will be used as additional exhibiting space and for workshops and demonstrations linked to the shows.

The project will also see the exterior being re-rendered and new signage, which ties in the branding of ‘The Makery’, put up. A fire and sprinkler system will also be installed to ensure the building meets current fire standards.

Much of the cost of the third phase of redeveloping the previously derelict building has been funded by a £204,000 donation from an anonymous benefactor. However, TAAG needs to raise an additional £30,000 to install a wheelchair lift to the first floor to ensure the workshop is fully accessible. Donations can be made by visiting: https://www.teignmoutharts.org/make-payments-to-taag

TAAG was originally established in 2007 to develop the arts in and around Teignbridge through collaboration and community-building.

The group took on the former Swansons garage on Northumberland Place in 2010 and, after much negotiation and fundraising, were able to buy the property in 2020. At this point TAAG became a registered charity.

‘More than two thirds of the purchase price was funded by local donations,’ explained TAAG Trustee Liz Lockyear. ‘This building is an asset to Teignmouth,’ she added. ‘TAAG is all about co-ordinating with other events and groups in the town, facilitating access to art and supporting each other. We want people to feel comfortable coming in.’

Once the building had been purchased, TAAG was faced with the huge project of turning it into a usable, modern, accessible space for the community to gather for art appreciation, education and creation.

Phase one was aimed at turning the ground floor into a flexible gallery space as quickly as possible. After delays relating to Covid and gaining the right planning permissions, the gallery re-opened in July 2023.

The initial refurbishment was funded by donations, a crowdfunder campaign, and grants from the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Foyle Foundation, the Community Ownership Fund, Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council.

Phase two, which took place in the winter of 2023/2024 saw a roof replacement to keep the building watertight.

Now, phase three will see the first floor being turned into a usable, community space.

A fourth and fifth phase will open additional studio space on the first and second floors.

TAAG is keen to attract additional trustees. ‘The present trustees are only the custodians of this building trying to develop every corner to make it sustainable for the people of Teignmouth to use for years to come,’ they announced in the latest TAAG newsletter. ‘We need younger, like-minded people of all ages to step up and keep the vision alive.’

Until the Phase three work starts, TAAG remains open with a full programme of exhibitions.