THE home of Swindon’s Museum & Art Gallery could be reopened as a temporary home for the town’s collection of artworks and artefacts.

Apsley House in Bath Road was closed at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and was not reopened as restrictions were relaxed this summer.

Swindon Borough Council said the Grade II-listed Regency building was no longer fit for purpose and would cost too much to repair even temporarily.

And while the authority has announced ambitious plans for a new museum and art gallery, many feared the collections would be mothballed for years until a new home was built.

But now, after talks between the new cabinet member for culture, heritage and leisure Robert Jandy and members of the campaign group Save Our Museum & Art Gallery, the council says Apsley House will be among the options for a temporary home for the collections.

Coun Jandy, said: “Coming from a strong arts and culture background, I know how important the sector is to people’s health and wellbeing, and with what has happened over the last 18 months it is needed now more than ever.

“To this end, it has been gratifying to meet and work with individuals who are both passionate and knowledgeable on the subject.

"Our aim has always been to ensure that the museum and art collection is not kept in storage and whatever solution we come up with, we must do all we can to build on the work that has already taken place so we share it with as wide an audience as possible.

“We want all our residents to have the chance to see our wonderful collection. It is a collection to be proud of – let’s share it far and wide.”

Linda Kasmaty, chairman of the Friends of SMAG and founder of the Save Our Museum group said: “Many of our group, including some heritage professionals and friends of the museum and art gallery, were very concerned that Swindon residents, who collectively own the art and artefacts, would not have access to the larger part of our collections for years.

“We made our feelings plain to the council, and we are very pleased and appreciative that Coun Jandy has spent a lot of his time meeting with us and has now responded swiftly."

She added: “ We look forward to continuing to work with him and his officers towards getting Apsley House back open as soon as is feasible, so that as many people as possible can go back through its doors and the very popular workshops for children in the school holidays can resume. Many parents have told us that their children are missing our famous gharial – the Swindon croc – and are really looking forward to seeing her again.”