Shop Front: pop-up @ haydon gallery

Published on: 20 Nov, 2015
Updated on: 2 Dec, 2015

The new pop up @ Haydon Gallery – 10% off for Dragon readers! – Photo Mandy Millyard.

By Mandy Millyard

The re-arrival of the new Waitrose supermarket was a slow birth, over several years, but just opposite, in Haydon Place, is a new “pop up” shop which was born almost overnight.

It has been opened by a local professional photographer Sue Roche and in this internet age she has called her shop pop-up @ haydon gallery (not an email address). The pop up is open for an initial period of six weeks, until Christmas Eve.

As a picture frame shop it was previously owned by George Hone, who died two and a half years ago. George was a local man who sold his ready-made frames on North Street market for many years. His son, Martyn, has continued to sell his frames, but he lives some distance away which makes it difficult for him to open the shop on a regular basis.

Frames can still be purchased but now photos, pictures and artistic ornaments too – Photo Sue Roche.

Now with the welcomed regeneration of the area, the shop is very visible to passers-by. Whilst visiting the new Waitrose, Sue noticed the gallery and thought she could make more of the gallery space.

She spoke to Martyn on Friday last week (November 13), asking if it would be possible to rent the premises. Martyn agreed to sharing the space, as he is keen to keep his own frame business running from the shop.

To ensure an opening date of Wednesday, November 18, Sue enlisted the help of her family and friends – husband Richard, her son Jack and daughters Ella and Anna. Along with Terri Smart of Clandon Pottery and the Loveder family.

Between them, they prepared the shop in record time. Painting, hanging photographs, designing flyers, promotion on social media, all were taken care of as they worked as a team. Working to a very tight deadline, the gallery opened in time.

The very first customer, Ann Blackwell (click to enlarge image) – Photo Sue Roche.

Ann Blackwell (pictured), was first through Sue’s door on Wednesday morning. She was very interested in Sue’s photographs of Brighton, as her grand-daughter went to university there.

Sue specialises in capturing alternative views of landscapes, people and architecture. She spent many years working with film, but now applies her darkroom skills to digital photography.

The photographs displayed in the gallery are high resolution prints onto aluminium. This makes them completely waterproof, and can be displayed in kitchens, bathrooms and outdoors, without fear of degeneration. It also makes them non-reflective.

They are available in a range of sizes, according to requirements. For the last two and a half years she has had permanent gallery space at The Medicine Garden in Cobham.

At the official opening: Cathy Pyle (photographer), Shauna Stanton (painter), Diana Pollock (painter)

Pop-up @ haydon gallery will also be promoting the work of other local artists, these include:

Jewellers – Oorla Morgan, Kym Diederich, Nita McDowell, Iona Laycock-McKenzie
Ceramicists – Terri Smart, JoJo Rowley, Jean Tolkovsky, Doxa Sivropoulus, Barbara Andrews, Charlotte Stockley, Cressida Borrett, Pratima Kramer
Textile Art – Iona Laycock-McKenzie
Sculptors – Christine Charlesworth, Carol Orwin
Painters – George Tilbury, Di Pollock, Shauna Stanton, Becca Clegg
Glass Artists – Louisa Sullivan, Joe Szabo
Printmaker – Richenda Court
Photographer – Cathy Pyle

Open every day, including Christmas Eve. Core opening hours 11am to 6pm and 11am to 5pm on Sundays.

With Christmas just around the corner, visitors will discover a wealth of beautiful gifts here, with the knowledge that they have been produced by local artists.

Guildford Dragon readers are offered 10% discount on purchases, up until the end of November.

There’s more about Sue Roche (ARPS CPAGB) on her website – slrphotographic.co.uk.

Sue Roche with Guildford Mayor Cllr Nikki Nelson-Smith after she had officially opened the gallery

Responses to Shop Front: pop-up @ haydon gallery

Dave Middleton Reply

November 20, 2015 at 9:10 pm

Well, after all the whinging and whining and doom and gloom over the development and opening of the Waitrose store, isn’t it lovely to see that it’s presence has led to a vibrant new shop opening on Haydon Place in what was a rather run down and under-used premises.

Fingers crossed the other shops along Haydon Place will benefit and improve as a result of the increased footfall and visibility that Waitrose has brought to the area.

Incidentally, does anyone know what led to the closure of the fishing tackle shop a little further along?
Shauna Stanton Reply

November 20, 2015 at 9:52 pm

Great to see this bit of news covered by The Guildford Dragon. This pop up shop is such an asset to our community and it is brilliant to see it open.

A huge well done to Sue and her team for making it happen in record time. Just goes to show what you can do when you put your mind to something.
Richard Roche Reply

November 24, 2015 at 1:18 pm

Great article and terrific local response already to the pop-up with people saying how good it is to have somewhere in Guildford which not only showcases local artists but also provides a choice of unique Christmas gift ideas.
- Pratima Kramer Reply
  
  November 26, 2015 at 5:54 pm
  
  Lovely article about the Haydon Place Pop-up Gallery. What an achievement in such short time by team of talented artists and their family. The gallery looks fabulous with lots of art and craft pieces just in time for Christmas.
  
  Worth a visit.
Gill Denyer Reply

November 26, 2015 at 8:00 pm

Well done everyone, it’s time for a shop like this to appear in Guildford. I hope they have lots of customers in the next few weeks.
Ruth Cameron Reply

November 26, 2015 at 10:55 pm

How satisfying to read that article above…and I note that Sue Roche’s children are no longer the little ones I recall. What an interesting venture she has embarked on; I’ll look in when we’re in Guildford next (moved to Oxford four years ago). Do the personnel rotate, or are you there all the time?

One of the earlier photos is on the walls of our French house, a rough wall with turquoise shutter – France? Italy? I might need another one for here, lots of walls…an ad hoc gallery…but on aluminium? How intriguing.
Christine Charlesworth Reply

November 28, 2015 at 9:32 am

Well done to Sue Roche for taking this opportunity to showcase some of our work just in time for Christmas.

A small space used to the best advantage with an amazing cross section of art so there should be something there for everyone.

So pleased I was asked to take part, but very sad that I could not be there at the opening.

Good luck everyone.
Richenda Court Reply

November 29, 2015 at 5:24 pm

This is a wonderful opportunity for artists to showcase their new work in Guildford.

I’ve known Sue for quite some time and have no doubt this will be another successful venture for her.

So sad not to make the opening but I am looking forward to showcasing some work and see this enterprise grow.

Well done and congratulations.