A shop selling and promoting the artwork of about 70 artists may have to close due to a lack of volunteers and finances.
Arts Hub 47 (AH47) a community co-operative, opened at number 47 Lark Lane 11 years ago before moving to 136 Aigburth Road in 2019. However, following the 2020 Covid lockdown the shop has suffered with a loss of volunteers, leading to reduced opening days and income.
It stocks an array of gifts made by many artists including jewellery, pottery, framed pictures, posters, cushions, bags, mirrors, mosaics, soap, jam, t-shirts and embroidery. The shop also hosts a range of workshops from mosaic-making to watercolour painting and more.
READ MORE: Aldi shoppers praise 'sturdy' £12 laundry basket that 'looks lovely'
Volunteer Ruth Keenan told the ECHO: "We’ve struggled to open our usual seven-day week. We now open Wednesday to Sunday. If we had more volunteers for each closed day and some others to cover illness we could cover more days.
"We are now spending through our savings. We have always managed without funding but times are becoming really difficult and we are having to consider closing in summer or before.
"We're a local community shop often doing free coffee, tea and cakes, free workshops and colouring in, but often just a smiling face for people. AH47 really is one of Liverpool's best kept secrets. Once you find it, you will wonder how you missed it".
Volunteer Jane Pearce said: "We've had artists progress to even greater things; Libby Bower opened her own shop. Stephen Mahoney sells his designs which are franchised and sold through the post office and Tina Leahey now has her own business online.
"One member Sue Leach was encouraged to complete her degree in Fine Art at Hope (university). Irene Ackerman also completed her degree in a creative subject after joining the hub".
Artist Nicola McGovern has just completed one of the six Eurovision eggs with pupils from St Benedict's Primary in Bootle. Six eggs represent the districts of Liverpool City Region and one represents Ukraine. Artist Barbara Hurst has a photographic exhibition in AH47, which runs until April 30.
Artist Rose of RoseBDesigns makes ceramics objects mainly of rabbits and cats, many as caricatures. Rose, who had an Easter exhibition of rabbits at the shop said: "AH47 is a real treasure for the artist community and local community alike. An opportunity for local artists to sell pieces to the community from a co-operative shop is really special.
“It's extremely helpful to promote art work but also hope it lifted many people’s spirits in difficult times. Art can heal".
AH47 customer Pauline said: "I like the mixture they have. They cater for a lot of different crafts. (There are) Different items that suit many people who do crafts. It's very good for the community, meeting people, getting people together".
Volunteer for over 10 years Irene Acker added: "Different people come in, we have a cup of tea together, we have a chat. It's getting out and sharing skills with all the workshops going on here.
"It’s great, I’ve met one of my best friends and we often meet up and go for a coffee together, just through the Arts Hub. It's great for the local people and the community to come in here and learn something new".
For information visit Arts Hub 47 HERE
Get all the latest Eurovision 2023 news straight to your inbox
READ NEXT
Coronation Street fans ecstatic as 'living legend' returns to street
Prolific criminal says 'sound' after avoiding jail for assaulting girlfriend
Thomas Cashman 'rode around Dovecot on day of Queen's funeral to intimidate witnesses'
Man in hospital after incident at paintball centre near Knowsley Safari Park
Single mum in fear and excitement after Zoom call with Channel 4
