The new building site in Allendale

Before

The New Building Site in the centre of Allendale.

After

The plans for the new Allendale Art And Media Centre

The plans for the new Allendale Art & Media Visitors Centre - work starts January 2010 and should be completed in 10 months. 

As part of our sustainable development a building was purchased in March 2009, right in the middle of Allendale. Formerly the old village blacksmith's and then a garage, the site has been prepared for development with assistance from ONE NORTH EAST, Adventure Capital and MIDAS, supported by Allendale Parish Council and Northumberland County Council. We are now starting PHASE 3 (the build) with assistance from RDPE, Leader and AONB. Our largest supporters, who have kept us all going over the past 18 months, have been members of the community of the Allen Valleys, helping with fundraising events, supporting the Pebbles Gallery & Cafe - thank you.

The new building will become a vibrant ART, SMALL BUSINESS, YOUTH, and MEDIA CENTRE, which will be committed to providing affordable work space, and freedom for a wider range of creative practitioners to work, display, and develop their businesses in a positive and purpose-built environment.

If you are interested in applying for a business unit then please contact us at Pebbles Gallery.

Allendale Creative Artists Community Interest Company (ACA CIC)
Official office : Pebbles Gallery in Allendale - 01434 683975

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q - What is the Allendale Creative Artists Community Interest Company?
A - ACA CIC is an INDEPENDENT community-led social enterprise, a not-for-profit organisation, set up by members of the Allendale community; it is managed by a Directorship made up of highly motivated people. The official office is Pebbles Gallery, a rented property that was taken over by the organisation.

“ With small donations the group refurbished and changed the Pebbles building into a community creative centre with plans to carry out activities to encourage and support a Sustainable Allen Valleys – 2006” Amanda Galbraith – Chairwoman.

Q - What is the purpose of the ACA CIC & Pebbles?
A - The ACA CIC Vision is to : encourage, facilitate and aid the establishment and development of creative practitioners.
Pebbles Gallery aims to : provide affordable workspace for those in need, and to support the development of individuals and small businesses.
Other services provided are :  workspace, community drop in café, creative workshops, education, community meeting room, Pebbles youth project, monthly cultural events that take in art and music, facilities etc as needed. A member of the CIC will always support other community groups and take part in community meetings.

Q - Who is in charge of ACA CIC?
A - ACA CIC is a community Interest company limited by guarantee with a built in asset lock, it is run by directors recruited mainly from the local community. The ACA CIC has formed partnerships to work towards building a new and exciting development in Allendale.

Q - What are ACA CIC's priorities in 2007 - 2011?
A - First priority is to maintain self-sustainability, picking up minimal funding to run events, and to run the Pebbles youth project. Next is to purchase the disused Allendale Motors site in the middle of Allendale Town and to develop it into a vibrant ‘green’ LANDMARK building that will offer studios for micro businesses, gallery showcasing the Allen Valleys, office, outlet, community skills workshops and café.

Q - How do I rent workspace in Pebbles or the new development from ACA CIC?
A - ACA CIC exists to support those in most need and will rent to those who have put their name forward for a space.

Q - What will it cost to rent in Pebbles Gallery, studio workspace from ACA CIC?
A - Since the objective of ACA CIC is to provide affordable workspace for small businesses, rents will be at a level that tenants can afford. The ACA CIC aims to be self-sustainable as a viable business in order to offer its services.

Q - Where does ACA CIC get its money?
A - The ACA CIC is run on a small income with money generated from its own business income through running a gallery; the CIC receives rents from workspaces and from supporting 17 micro businesses;d over 70 members use the building whenever needed. Minimal small grants are obtained to make gradual expansions to the business and to run events to heighten awareness about the CIC and the Allen Valleys. AWARDS are gained with prize money to help support the organisation's free Pebbles Youth Project and community events such as the Allendale Art And Music Festival.

Pebbles Gallery and Youth Project - NO funding has been given to pay salaries, project management, fundraising, or expenses of ACA CIC members to date. Directors of ACA CIC receive no payment but give their time and expertise freely. They also work in the Gallery two rota days per month along with other members.

Q - How does the café work?
A - The beneficiaries of the cafe are CIC members who are employed through the café on a co-operative basis.
Micro food businesses rent the kitchen facilities. Members of the CIC on their voluntary rota days receive free refreshments throughout the day. The café also supports other food business by buying local fresh produce, also shopping at the local Co-op every morning.

Q - How does the Pebbles Youth Project work?
A - The beneficiaries of the pebbles youth project are people 25 years and under.
The project won £2,500 in 2006, £700 in 2007,  £2,500 in 2008.
* Pebbles Café supplies refreshments to each workshop and project.
* Pebbles artists give their skills for expenses only, i.e. fuel costs.
* Materials are donated.
* Young people make and sell artwork to help support their own project.
The ACA CIC aims to encourage young people into business, art and craft, skill sharing and voluntary work.

Q - Who benefits from ACA CIC?
A - The beneficiaries of ACA CIC are : the community of the Allen Valleys who enjoy the facilities and have pride in the organisation's achievements; the Pebbles Gallery tenants who have workspace and/or wall space to sell / take up personal training opportunities and business support; those who buy from or visit the gallery; the young people who use the youth project; schools, youth clubs, and communities who take part in Pebbles workshops. All Pebbles facilities are subsidised by the organisation.

Q - How do I contact ACA CIC?
A  The ACA CIC office is at Pebbles Gallery and provides administrative services for ACA CIC and the community. We can be contacted on 01434 683975
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W: www.pebblesartcafe.com or www.pebblesgallery.com

The ACA CIC have now undertaken to build a new Allendale Art & Media Centre that will offer business units, gallery, office space, workshops, education, tourism. Four jobs will be created, the first being a Project Coordinator who will oversee the build and fundraise in 2010.