Artists say Haigh Hall mega-project is "in jeopardy" after shock axing

Artists Al and Al had been working with Wigan Council to transform the grade II*-listed building into a nationally significant arts, culture and heritage destination.

But they have been told their contract is not being renewed and they will no longer be involved in the multi-million-pound masterplan.

They allege "political pressure” was cited as the reason for the departure and their legal team is investigating what happened.

The pair also claim the family of Wigan artist Theodore Major – whose work was planned to feature in a permanent exhibition at Haigh Hall – and the Lindsay family, whose ancestors lived there, “will not be proceeding with their involvement on the Haigh Hall project”.

They fear the future of the project is now “in jeopardy”.

Council bosses rebutted the claims and said the statement sent to Wigan Today by Al and Al contained “unfounded allegations”.

A council spokesperson said: “We are saddened to see the public statement made by Al and Al and the unfounded allegations made within, including the inaccurate description of events provided.

“There is no doubt that Al and Al’s artistic direction has shaped the vision for Haigh and for that we are truly grateful. That being said, Al and Al were just two members of a creative and committed project team working hard to realise our ambition for Haigh. We’re confident that as we enter this next phase, the project will really come to life.”

Al and Al – artists and film-makers Al Holmes and Al Taylor – became creative directors for the Haigh Hall transformation in 2021.

They spoke to hundreds of Wiganers to find out what they wanted to happen to the historic building and played a key role in drawing up the masterplan, which includes the Major gallery, an area for education for children, event space for weddings and parties, a rooftop terrace, restaurant, bar and much more.

In their statement, they said: “We were assured by Wigan Council that we would be retained as creative directors of the project until its completion, perhaps for a period of 10 years. We were wholly committed to Haigh Hall and to seeing it at the cultural centre of Wigan and the North. We worked closely with the Wigan community, with local and international artists, and all the stakeholders in the project.”

They met the council’s chief executive Alison McKenzie-Folan and James Winterbottom, director of strategy and innovation, on October 1, when they thought they would be discussing the next stage of the project.

Al and Al say their contract had expired the previous day, but claim they were told when they signed it that it was an “interim arrangement” and they would remain as creative directors.

They said: “We were astonished and shocked to be told at this meeting that our contract was not to be renewed and that we were required to stop work on the Haigh Hall project forthwith. There had been no hint of this turn of events, and none of the stakeholders, including the Major and Lindsay families, the Arts Council, the NLHF and the Level Up fund, had been told that we were to be summarily dismissed from the project.

"We were not given any comprehensible reason for this decision nor on whose authority the decision was made, other than the reason that our contract would not continue was due to ‘political pressure’ and ‘political concerns’.”

Al and Al said they had “devoted our hearts and souls” to transforming Haigh Hall and had worked “tirelessly” to create a “visionary” plan and safeguard its future.

They highlighted the “unforgettable and heartfelt conversation” they had with Wiganers about plans for the building and said it was a “huge honour” to work with the community.

Their statement said millions of pounds in funding had been secured for the project, which included £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.

But they raised concerns about the future of the Haigh Hall transformation, claiming both the Major and Lindsay families were no longer supporting it.

Al and Al said the “surprising and seemingly sudden decision” not to renew their contract had left them “deeply dismayed and concerned for the future of this project”.

They said: “Our vision, secured through the Theodore Major family art collection, has been central to Haigh Hall’s possible future. We have worked closely with numerous stakeholders, including the Major family and the Lindsay family, to ensure their local legacy and that the hall’s future would be secured for generations to come.

"We can sadly report, following conversations since October 1 with the Major family and Lindsay family, they will not be proceeding with their involvement on the Haigh Hall project. Their involvement is central and fundamental to the Level Up funding.”

Their statement concluded: “We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from community groups, colleagues, stakeholders and others in recent days. The council’s decision has been met with incredulity and shock and with mounting anxiety as to the future of the project, into which so many people have put their hearts, souls and time.”

Shock about their departure was expressed on Facebook by the Friends of Haigh Hall Heritage and Open Access For All Information Page.

A post says they have “received calls for action from many upset residents” who want the decision to be reversed and so have launched a petition calling for Al and Al to be reinstated as creative directors.

The petition states: “The decision to cut short their contract has left the community feeling betrayed and deeply concerned about the future of Haigh Hall. We fear that without their vision and leadership, the project will lose the connection it has built with the people of Wigan.”