ARTIST Mark Milnes is aiming to turn a former Mirfield cinema into a gallery and centre for the arts.

Mark, 39, hopes to create up to 10 studio spaces at the former Vale cinema and HQ nightclub in Mirfield town centre.

Visual artist Mark has just secured planning permission for his Creative Arts Hub and interest has been high.

Mark, who lives in Lower Hopton and runs the gallery at Batley Library and Art Gallery, had looked at setting up at Holme Bank Mills in Mirfield but his plans fell through.

Instead he turned his sights on the former cinema and hopes to sign a lease shortly.

Mark said: “There is a lot a interest in the arts in Mirfield and North Kirklees and a shortage of gallery space. Artists who come together in one place can create an energy and feed off each other, sparking new ideas.”

Mark, who has previously worked at the West Yorkshire Print Workshop further down Huddersfield Road in Mirfield, said the former cinema was last used as a nightclub but all the fixtures and fittings had been stripped out.

“The black walls remain so there will be some painting and decorating to do, but most of the work will be partitioning and some re-wiring,” he added.

“It will probably take about two months to get ready.”

Mark said the new gallery, open to the public for three or four days a week, would be the main focus at least initially.

“It’s an exciting project,” he said. “And I’m looking forward to getting started.”

Anyone interested in the studio space can ring Mark on 07709 259893 or e-mail info@creativeartshub.org.uk