Wigan Council responds to claims it "squandered" £270k on culture exhibitions

The Fire Within cultural space, which was created at the Galleries shopping centre in May 2019, has attracted 20,000 visitors over three exhibitions so far.

Last week, the local authority also revealed its £130m redevelopment masterplan for the shopping centre in Wigan, which it acquired in 2018.

Six empty shops at the centre are currently being used as a hub to host a range of events – from music performances to poetry and film screenings.

But one councillor has compared exhibits to "paedophilia satanic worshipping".

Others also took issue with "dancing traffic cones" spotted in King Street – but the council later clarified that this was not related to The Fire Within exhibition.

The comments came as councillors considered the town hall’s investments at a council meeting held via video conference on Wednesday, December 16.

Bryn councillor Steve Jones accused Wigan council of wasting "a hell of a lot" of money and proceeded to criticise paintings by Glossop artist Ghislaine Howard which featured as part of the last exhibition at The Fire Within.

He said: “Let’s look at the Galleries for instance. We spent millions of pounds buying the Galleries, and I’ve been up there. I say this as over the last two years becoming a father twice – the paintings look like paedophilia satanic worshipping, with pictures of dead babies and kids with their private parts out.

“And by the way, it’s always empty when you go up there.

“Don’t you think the residents of Wigan would rather see their money spent on parks, football pitches, having their grass cut, bins at the side of the road?

“That is how this council will get the respect of the people. By looking after the wards, keeping it clean, making it look good.”

Hindley Green councillor Bob Brierley said he wants to withhold his council tax because he does not see any "value for money" in the town hall’s spending.

Fellow ward councillor, Paul Maiden, criticised the council for allocating "rent-free" retail space for the exhibition at the shopping centre which it owns.

He also complained about money spent on dancers dressed as traffic cones who were filmed in Wigan town centre ahead of a special Boxing Day event.

He said: “These cones are dancing down Kings Street on a street that’s been shutdown because of social distancing and all the rest of it and these cronies are allowed to go down there, dance and take taxpayer money.”

The dancing cones will be included in film footage for an event in conjunction with Greater Manchester’s United We Stream service to celebrate Wigan’s 42-year-old fancy dress tradition and to promote the local night-time economy.

The council confirmed the artists, who are professional dancers, were paid in line with a manifesto pledge to ensure all artists are paid fairly for their work.

A spokesperson said the £272,000 spent on The Fire Within includes the design, build and decor costs of the cultural hub and all artist costs, exhibition loans, transportation, insurance and marketing costs for the three exhibitions.

The money comes from the culture budget, part of a five-year manifesto plan.

In the past 18 months, over £3.1m has been secured for cultural activity in Wigan – a combination of GM Culture Fund and Arts Council England funding.

Labour councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities and culture, said the local authority is committed to ensuring town centres are "vibrant".

He said: “The Fire Within acts as a striking cultural space in our town centre that utilises previously vacant shopping units.

“It has allowed us to work with forward-thinking artists and creative young people in the region and provided a platform for them to showcase their talent regardless of what stage they are in their career.

“Culture is a driver in reducing social isolation and in improving health and wellbeing.

“Increasing cultural activity, seeking investment and putting resource into cultural activity through our vast range of cultural organisations is a key priority for us.

“The Fire Within Cultural Manifesto is a major asset in helping to position Wigan as a culturally thriving district in the North West while providing fantastic economic benefits and inspiring the next generation of creative talent.”

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