Renowned art gallery Clark Art is to close its doors after 18 years in Hale village.
Bill Clark, who has run the Ashley Road gallery for a quarter of a century having run the business at home before opening in Hale in 2006, has announced he will be retiring.
The gallery will close for good on Thursday 3rd October.
Clark Art had built up an international reputation as a specialist in L.S. Lowry and other Northern School artists, including Ben Kelly, Liam Spencer, Reg Gardner and Phil George.
Reflecting on an "incredible journey", Clark said he had made the decision to retire after a recent battle with cancer.
He said: "After 25 glorious years of Clark Art I’ve decided it’s now time to retire. I’m now in my late 60s and have spent the last two years recovering from cancer, so my priorities in life have changed.
"It’s been an incredible journey, after working from home for a few years I opened Clark Art in Hale in 2006 and for the past 18 years, it’s been my mission to raise the profile of L.S. Lowry and Northern School Art.
"Over the years we have held a series of blockbuster exhibitions at the gallery and published numerous books on northern artists.
"It has never felt like a job for me and I feel privileged to have owned amazing pieces of art which I have passed on for other people to enjoy. All good things come to an end and I feel that now is the right time to close this chapter of my life."
Clark Art is now running a closing down sale of all its art, which will be available to buy at reduced prices.
Clark added: "I would like to thank all our wonderful clients for their unwavering support and friendship over the years and all the incredibly talented artists who have provided work to the gallery.
"It has given me great pleasure to bring the work of local northern artists to a national audience. Special thanks to my Gallery manager Helen, who has been there since the start of our journey in Hale."
