A Quaker run multi-use community space, principally specialising in providing an affordable gallery venue to local artists and makers right in the heart of town.
Facebook: @FriendscommunityHub.
Information about hiring the space is detailed below, along with some highlights for 2023/4 and read about the background to creating this gallery space.
The Community Hub space next to the meeting house on Skinnergate is one of the area Quaker Charity's Commercial properties (No 4 -7 Skinnergate) which also includes Quaker Business Centre (7 small office spaces), Changes Gallery and Gifts, and Indulgence Hair Salon.
HIRE THE HUB
The shop space is available for hire by individuals or groups. Rates as below:
HIRE PERIOD | RATE (2024/2025) | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
7 day | £200 | First 3 weeks each month |
5 Day | £150 | Last week of month only |
3 day | £100 | Last week of month only |
1 Day | £85 | Last week of month only |
Per hour | £12.00 | Last week of month only |
Booking notes
- NOTE: PLI - All events open to the public require Public Liability Insurance in place.
- Check the online calendar for availability - www.darlingtonquakers.org/room-hire
- Bookings can be provisionally reserved for one month.
- Please read the information for hirers document - Booking information for hirers 2024.pdf
- Then complete the booking form - Booking form (docx)
- Bookings confirmed on receipt of the booking form.
- Cancellation or changes require at least ONE MONTH notice. (The hire fee will normally be due if less notice given).
A few of the Hub highlights 2022-2024
Darlington Creatives Market
In 2022 we launched the monthly trader market bring together talented local artists and markers to sell their work
Above, Palestinian Art (Darlington Palestinian Solidarity Campaign) - May 2022
A quick selection of the fabulous work from regular and one off exhibitors across the 2 years.
Creating a gallery...
The back story.
A former Christian bookshop, we took this back in direct management in 2021 and set out refubishing it with volunteer help from Darlington for Culture. We didnt at first have a vision for its use except it should be available for the community at not for profit prices.
2022: It soon became clear there was a real lack of affordable gallery space, what with both the Library and Head of Steam (Railway Museum) closed at that time for refurbishment. And thanks to a grant for wall mounted exhibition boards from Creative Darlington (DBC),it quickly developed into an arts venue.
May 2022
A fabulous team of volunteers joined the call out to get the walls painted ready for the DBC Arts Festival where five talented local artists and designers exhibited their work. It launched the space, despite there being a lot more to do.
Soon after the arts festival, a number of workshops, exhibitions and pop up shops followed. The bare concrete floor also got painted and the Hub gradually started to feel lived in...
2023 and onwards...
And so with the input of the Darlington Borough Council Town's Fund regeneration, the outside of the Hub was given a beautiful green make over, and the final piece in the puzzle (February 2024) was the hand painted sign board to set off our new slightly "Art Deco" look which replaced the temporary banner.
The transformation from tired shop to loved community space was complete!