AN art gallery is to open in the centre of Altrincham.

The Contemporary Altrincham, will be in the mode of its successful counterpart The Contemporary Chester. The gallery will occupy the former Au Naturale premises in Stamford New Road, part of the The Graftons Shopping Centre. The 3,400 sq ft unit has been taken on a five year lease.

Jonathan Shingfield, creative director at the Contemporary, said: “We are looking forward to joining the growing buzz of independent shops in Altrincham.

We offer a range of internationally renowned artists that suit todays growing demand for contemporary art.

"Following on from our success in Chester, we believe that Altrincham is ideally placed for us to grow and look forward to welcoming everyone through our doors into a gallery space unlike any seen in Altrincham before.

"We are planning to open in December.”

Daniel Lee, a director at Regional Property Solutions, who let the unit on behalf of the landlord Grafton Centre Holdings, said: “This letting is significant within the Grafton Centre, which is managed by Landswood de Coy LLP, which is undertaking various asset management initiatives including turning the former Grafton Mall arcade of small retail units into a 7,000 sq ft single unit with double frontage on both George Street and Stamford New Road. "This along with other redevelopments is contributing to the continued revitalisation of the town centre.”