New Grant Searl Art and The Northerner Art Gallery opens at Wayfarers Arcade in Southport

THE new Grant Searl Art and The Northerner Art Gallery in Southport is now open! The gallery has opened on the ground floor of Wayfarers Shopping Arcade on Lord Street.

It features 2 units packed with Grant's stunning artwork, which reflect his different styles.

They include his famous:- 'retro surrealism,' which spark people's memories, and his work as:- 'The Northerner,' steeped in the North's recent industrial past.

The new gallery will allow Grant to create his art inside the space, which can also be utilised for events and workshops.

Grant has been supported in opening the gallery by his wife, Maggie, who sells eclectic, unusual and eye catching ornaments.

Grant is part of a growing artistic, cultural and creative renaissance happening inside Wayfarers Shopping Arcade, with other tenants including: Gallery More; The Engine Room, Ruthie Illustrations; Design by Gavriela; Wayfarers Arts; Brandwall; and more.

The arcade is busy in the run-up to Christmas, hosting Santa's Grotto and the Craft and Gift Fair on various dates during December.

Grant said:- "I am really excited to see the gallery opening inside Wayfarers Arcade. It feels good to be open! I'm very positive about being here. This is not just an art gallery. We will also be able to offer an educational side, hosting lessons, workshops, and adding to the variety of the arcade. I am looking forward to doing some painting in here. It will be a working studio as well as an art gallery. Shopping has evolved. Retail has become theatre! You can no longer open a static shop, sit back and expect people to just walk in. You have to create an experience for people to enjoy, to make them want to come. There are different sections of this shop that people can see, with a variety of different artwork, and prices, to suit people. There might be something you find that's perfect for you for Christmas. 1 section of the gallery will showcase art by Grant Searl; another is dedicated to:- 'The Northerner' style artworks; another features local scenes. I have painted the chocolate shop in Churchtown Village, The Swan Chippy, and I'm looking forward to doing 1 on Lord Street. People are often surprised when they come in and discover that all the art in here is done by the same artist. But people who like 1 style, will often like another. I am looking forward to using the amazing space inside Wayfarers Arcade to be able to organise a couple of art fairs, hopefully a couple a year."

Grant was delighted when the opportunity for his new Grant Searl Art and The Northerner Art Gallery inside Wayfarers Arcade became available.

Grant add:- "This is such a beautiful space; it's iconic. It's right in the heart of Southport Town centre, so it's really easy for people to come and discover what we have to offer. I was very impressed by how reasonable the rents are inside the arcade. There have been a few new tenants arriving at Wayfarers this year and there seems to be a real energy to bring new life into this venue. The possibilities of what could happen here are exciting. Southport is changing, Lord Street is changing, there is so much new investment. The:- 'Northern Quarter' is attracting some great restaurants, bars and hotels. Wayfarers Arcade is becoming more like an art and cultural community, which is very appealing to me. If the arcade moves forward in the way we hope, it will be a great success. I feel very proud to be in Wayfarers Arcade. I used to love coming in here as a kid. Owning an art gallery inside here is a dream I have had for years."

For more details about Grant Searl Art and The Northerner Art Gallery please visit:- GrantSearlart.Com.

Experts challenge UK policymakers over serious hydrogen challenges

A new publication which provides expert analysis, evidence and policy recommendations from The University of Manchester to tackle the UK's key hydrogen policy challenges has just been released.

On Hydrogen; from the University's policy engagement unit, Policy@Manchester; features 7 articles from academics including:- research-led advice on areas such as the production of hydrogen, storage of hydrogen, decarbonisation of industry and transport, and the future role of hydrogen interconnectors.

The 21-page document begins with an authoritative foreword from Baroness Brown of Cambridge, Chair of the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee, who warns that:- "the hydrogen bubble has burst."

She writes:- "In the last 10 years, hydrogen has been hyped as the silver bullet that can decarbonise almost everything: heating, cars, trains, buses, planes, shipping, industry, electricity generation: all transformed by use of the magic molecule. The trouble with bubbles is that once they have burst, it takes time for industry, Governments and investors to regain confidence and take the subjects seriously again."

Despite this, she warns that hydrogen must be taken seriously with a series of pressing industry tasks; such as the decarbonisation of steel making and the production of sustainable synthetic fuels; dependent on the use of green hydrogen.

Baroness Brown acknowledges that numerous challenges lie ahead in developing a low carbon hydrogen industry. But she adds:- "Until both potential users and potential producers are convinced that there will be a market for hydrogen at an affordable price, everyone is waiting for someone else to take the 1st step."

In her piece, the crossbench peer; who also serves as Chair of the Carbon Trust, and the Adaptation Committee of the Climate Change Committee; argues that:- "low carbon hydrogen, especially green hydrogen, can be a green growth opportunity for the UK."

She writes:- "We have many of the ingredients to make it work; ambitious net zero commitments and policies; an excellent wind resource and a fast-growing renewables industry, especially for offshore wind; geology such as salt caverns, suitable for storing hydrogen; expertise in electrochemistry in our Universities; some serious oil industry players who need an alternative to fossil fuels; innovative fuel cell and electrolyser companies. The UK Government can take some bold steps to ensure we grow this industry in the UK; it could start by committing to a no regrets investment in a strategic reserve of hydrogen to support our electricity system." Praising the quality of academic thought laid out in On Hydrogen, Baroness Brown adds::- "This report provides a range of valuable insights into some of the challenges and opportunities to be gained from a future in which we take low carbon hydrogen seriously."

One of the contributors is Professor Maria Sharmina, Academic Co-Director of Policy@Manchester, who has co-authored a piece with Dr Vincenzo Spallina which addresses the question:- "Can hydrogen help decarbonise small industrial emitters?"

Commenting on the release of the publication, Professor Sharmina said:- "The UK currently relies heavily on fossil fuels for transport, industry and power production. This must change if the new Government's net zero ambitions are to be realised. On Hydrogen is a collection of evidence-based recommendations and ideas from academics and researchers at The University of Manchester which can advance the future of hydrogen in the UK energy sector. I encourage hydrogen policymakers to read the document and engage with us to chart a course that meets their objectives and would benefit the UK in the long term"

Let us know your thoughts on this news topic... Email our Newsroom at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com or send us a message on:- Mastodon, Facebook, or Twitter.