The Angel of the North artist said he was “disappointed” but accepted the council’s decision to demolish the site
Sir Antony Gormley has spoken out on the issue(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Sir Antony Gormley has confirmed he will not be taking plans forward to convert Hexham’s Old Fire Station into a storage facility and gallery. It comes after the Conservative-led administration at Northumberland County Council agreed to press ahead with plans to demolish the building.
Despite widespread local support for Sir Antony’s proposals, the council has insisted that the space is needed for an expanded council depot ahead of new recycling rules coming into play. The issue has prompted a furious row between the administration and Hexham councillors.
Speaking publicly on the fire station for the first time, Sir Antony said: “Hexham has been an important location for my studio and foundry work for many years. When I put forward a proposal to acquire the Old Fire Station, the plan was to enable me to bring all my work presently stored worldwide to the town.
“I am very aware that the council has responsibilities to infrastructure such as the old fire station. Northumberland County Council has an obligation to look carefully at all options and to ensure that decisions serve the wider public interest.
“While I am disappointed that our plans for the site will not be taken forward, I accept the decision that has been made for the improved waste depot, therefore I withdraw my proposal for the acquisition of the old fire station. What has been most striking throughout this discussion is how strongly people feel about Hexham.
“That strength of feeling speaks of a town that cares deeply about its identity and future. I remain keen to work positively with Northumberland County Council and Hexham Town Council, and I am particularly excited by the prospect of giving a sculpture to be sited in the River Tyne.
“I hope this will be something shared by everyone, a work that belongs to the landscape and contributes to the town’s growing aspirations as an Arts Town. I am proud to be a part of the Hexham community and enthusiastic about what we can achieve together.”
In November, the council’s cabinet controversially agreed not to sell the building to Sir Antony and proceed with the demolition plans. However, opposition leaders called in the decision to a scrutiny meeting at the start of this month.
There, members agreed that the proposals should go before full council in the New Year. The council could then vote for the cabinet to re-examine the case, but wouldn’t be able to change the decision.
Coun Derek Kennedy, Hexham MP Joe Morris and Coun Suzanne Fairless-Aitken at the old fire station(Image: Chrissie Iliffe 2025)
Sir Antony’s statement has lead to further criticism of the administration from Hexham councillors. The town’s mayor, Coun Derek Kennedy, said: “Hexham councillors have worked tirelessly with the Gormley Foundation in an attempt to find a solution that would result in a Sir Anthony Gormley exhibition centre that would hold world class art in the redundant fire station that has been empty for eight years.
“What an amazing vision we had for Hexham. Hexham councillors did everything we could to act constructively with Northumberland County Council but it has been obvious that the Conservative administration were not interested.
“They have performed despicable acts including authorising the demolition of the old fire station in the summer and not informing the town council or non-Conservative county councillors. The leader then took an urgent item to the cabinet in November in which all the Conservatives voted to block the Gormley proposal and demolition the fire station for a council depot.
“I have repeatedly argued that the larger depot site could be redeveloped to provide the space required for operations including the better use of council car parking. This would then enable the Gormley Centre to be purchased at full market value, in which there would be a win win for both sides.
“I had to work with opposition leaders of the council to block the unsafe decision by the Conservative Cabinet and challenge their narrow view. However the constant, repetitive and negative blocking by the Conservatives County Council has led to Gormley losing patience and pulling out.
“I think Hexham is getting a rather unfortunate message from the Conservative County Council and it’s not a very palatable one.”
Hexham East councillor Suzanne Fairless Aitken added: “I’m incredibly sad, but not at all surprised that this has happened. This was a truly game-changing proposal and it sums up Morpeth’s neglect of Hexham’s wishes in a nutshell.
“Any other council would have fully welcomed this ‘Gormley vision’ and snapped up this gift to Hexham and Northumberland in a shot. I know that Gateshead Council are now incredibly keen, and we have now lost this centre for Gormley’s works, studios, educational space and artistic legacy.
“Clearly, the minority administration at County Hall knows better than the people of Hexham and its locally elected councillors about the way forward for the town. I’m disgusted at the way the council has handled this decision.
“Sir Antony Gormley has now issued a beautiful, dignified statement, paying tribute to the passion of the people of Hexham and decided to walk away. I don’t blame him at all.
“I really can’t understand why this has been allowed to happen. The good folk of Hexham who signed our record-breaking petition and turned out in droves for our two ‘shows of support’ should be ashamed of a county council who lacks the passion and creativity of other culturally, proactive councils around the country. This is a disaster for Hexham.”
The Tories claimed that relocating the depot would come at a huge cost for taxpayers. There was also questions over the scale of the exhibition aspect of the proposals.
A business case submitted by Sir Antony said the fire station had the necessary qualities to accommodate a gallery which “could eventually host specific displays of Antony Gormley’s work or selections of the core collection of drawings”.
Council leader Glen Sanderson said: “Over this last six months we have made every effort to see if there was some way we could both retain the fire station whilst at the same time ensure we could deliver a state of the art depot for our 127 staff who work at Tyne Mills in not the best conditions.
“After pausing the process to allow other options to come forward for three months I felt we really had to press on for the sake of our staff and given the timetable for the roll out of our new recycling service for the county.
Having spoken to Sir Antony on two occasions recently we both share absolutely the same vision for Hexham.
“I made it quite clear that we would help to deliver, with him, a culture rich town and that assurance very much remains. We look forward especially to working with him on his proposed statue.”
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