High Street Spotlight: Newark Art Gallery and Studio in Kirkgate, Newark

A business owner has looked back on the journey from a corporate environment to opening a popular art gallery in a historic town centre.

David Moore, the owner of Newark Art Gallery and Studio on Kirkgate, Newark, has been running the space alongside his wife Debbie Moore since it first opened in 2020.

The gallery initially opened on 37 Kirkgate, before making the move to the space between Newark Healthfood Shop and Sibley’s Butchers on Kirkgate, which provided a ‘more modern, fresher look for the business’ .

Before getting into the art world, David was working in sales and design, and with the support of his wife, he decided to leave the corporate environment behind and open his first art gallery in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2016.

“I had an excellent art teacher at grammar school in Skegness who always encouraged his pupils,” he said, “I've always sketched and painted as a hobby so taking this step was almost a natural one.

“When we moved back to the UK, I was looking for a suitable town that had a historic background, so would have a thriving tourist industry, which sums up Newark.”

The art gallery features a range of works, from David’s own art to artists from the area including paintings, pottery, glass art and handmade cards.

Having moved to Newark about five years ago, David is not only a full-time business owner and artist but also a Newark and Sherwood District Councillor.

He admitted that his favourite thing about the business is the people he gets to meet.

Having opened the gallery in the same year as the Covid-19 pandemic, David experienced struggles just like most businesses in Newark’s high street, but he continues to pull through and follow his passion.

“Every town and city has suffered since Covid as the population learned how easy online shopping actually is,” David said.

“The team at our district council, responsible for our area as a tourist destination, work so hard at getting us back to 'normal' and their enthusiasm, especially the likes of Victoria Couzens and Neil Cutall, make me more determined to push my shop, and other independent businesses in Newark.

“We all, as Newark residents, have to constantly support our independent shops.

“The saying "Buy from the High Street or there won't be a High Street to buy from" is so very true today.”

During school’s summer break, Newark Art and Studio offers work experience to a number of sixth-form students.

For the future, David said he plans to carry on the business for as long as he can.

He concluded: “I love Newark, it has so much going for it.”