Date for Walsall art gallery Sunday opening set

The £21 million Walsall New Art Gallery is planning to reopen on Sundays from September 30, it emerged today.

The iconic building is to increase its hours in time for the launch of a display from one of Britain's most controversial artists and former Turner Prize winner Damien Hirst.

It is expected to cost £15,000 up to the end of the financial year in March to reopen the gallery on Sundays. This is one of a number of changes in a bid to boost the profile of the multi-million pound attraction and bring in more visitors.

It includes bidding to host the Turner Prize in 2015, having Wi-Fi throughout the gallery and hosting a series of cultural events.

The plans have been put together by a working group of Walsall Council's community services scrutiny panel, which meets tonight.

Plans will then go before the decision-making cabinet, which is being recommended to agree to the recommendations, on Wednesday.

The Damien Hirst display will be opening to the public a week after the first Sunday reopening.

The gallery stopped opening on Sunday last year to cut costs.

A report from Keith Stone, assistant director for neighbourhood services, said: "The New Art Gallery will reopen on Sundays from September 30, one week in advance of the Damien Hirst display opening to the public.

"The cost of Sunday opening for the period October 2012 to March 2013 is expected to be £15,000, which can be met from within existing gallery budgets."

He added that the measures being proposed will also help to safeguard funding from the Arts Council.

If successful in getting to host the Turner Prize it is expected costs could be covered through existing budget, sponsorship and grant.

The New Art Gallery was the victim of money-saving measures last year, which led to it being closed on Sundays and bank holidays. Council chiefs have previously said Sunday opening would be crucial in the gallery's bid to host the prestigious Turner Prize.

By Craig Hughes