The Saul Hay Gallery is bringing a new contemporary art destination to central Manchester, thanks to a Start Up Loan from alternative loan provider Business Finance Solutions (BFS) www.businessfinancesolutions.org.uk the North West delivery partner of the government’s national £310m Start Up Loans programme and a lending partner of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
The Saul Hay Gallery www.saulhayfineart.co.uk was born out of the passion of its collector founders Ian and Catherine Hay and is located in a listed building in Castlefield. Working with both emerging and established artists, the Gallery will offer a diverse programme of contemporary painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media and photography.
Ian and Catherine have used their Start Up Loan from BFS to fit out and furnish the gallery space, including the installation of display plinths and an art hanging system to showcase the works of art.
From 27th January, the gallery will host TWO – Northern Abstracts, an exhibition that brings together exciting abstract work from eight established artists from the North West of England including Lisa Denyer who is based at Mirabel Studios, Manchester and is currently on a residency at Galerie Martin Mertens in Berlin; Steven Heaton a painter and a director of Cross Street Studios in Standish; Donal Moloney, a senior lecturer in Fine art at MMU Manchester School of art and the Visitors Choice Winner at John Moores Painting Prize 2016 and James Moss, a painter and interdisciplinary artist who is also is the Gallery & Exhibitions Organiser at The Portico Library, Manchester;
Paul Breen, Director of Business Finance Solutions, said: “The Saul Hay Gallery is a great example of how Start Up Loans is supporting passionate and dedicated entrepreneurs by helping to finance business ideas that have been cultivated for years. Ian and Catherine had spent many months looking for premises, researching the market, taking a course in selling art, finding the right mix of artists and producing a web site. When they were ready to take the plunge with their new business we were able to work closely with them to provide the low interest finance they needed to launch this wonderful new gallery space.”
Ian says: “Manchester has had a vibrant art scene for many years so being able to access the funding from BFS to open our own gallery here has been a real dream come true.
“Our aim with the gallery is to celebrate the very best of contemporary and progressive art which will appeal both to people looking for an original one-off piece for their home as well as the most avid of collectors. Customers can view and buy the paintings, drawings, prints, photography and sculpture in a beautiful environment as well as online and we are enormously excited about working with and supporting local, national and international artists in the years to come.”
Ian and Catherine have a strong network of successful artists including two of the John Moore’s Painting Prize 2016 finalists and will be reviewing their exhibitions every three months. They will also offer other services including finding works of art for private and commercial clients, arranging artwork framing and delivery and hosting private and open events for customers.
BFS will see £15 million allocated to new start-ups across the North West over a two year period, creating around 3000 new businesses and over 5000 new jobs in the region. BFS is the finance arm of the Manchester Growth Company and supported by the GM Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Local Enterprise Partnership. BFS is a key alternative source of funding for small businesses in Greater Manchester and has grown a comprehensive range of finance products from £500 through to £500k, with support on raising early stage equity through the Co Angel Investment Service of up to £2m. To date BFS manages over £90m of publically backed small business investments across the UK. Find out more about BFS finance at www.business-finance-solutions.org.uk or by calling 0161 245 4737.
