We were thrilled to welcome the CEO of Arts Council England yesterday. Darren Henley, who heads up the country’s national arts funding body, was given a tour of God’s House Tower, which as you probably know reopened last October after a £3.1million refurbishment project.

Darren was in Southampton with Arts Council England’s regional director for the South West, Phil Gibby, and both were given the full tour of God’s House Tower by GHT director Daniel Crow. They were also given an update on ‘a space’ arts’ other projects, including RIPE at Old Northam Road, which provides studio and exhibition space for fine art graduates from Southampton and Solent Universities, the Arches Studios, a complex of artists’ studios underneath Central Bridge in Southampton, and Tower House, where ‘a space’ arts is based.

Darren said: “I think it’s brilliant to see how such a fantastic heritage asset for Southampton has been brought to life so creatively by a brilliant group of artists. It’s a great blend of past present and future which is one of the things I always enjoy when I come to Southampton.”

Daniel Crow added: “It was really great to host Darren and Phil today and to show them round our fabulous newly refurbished venue, and show them how artists have brought it back to life. It’s fantastic that the CEO of ACE is taking an interest in all the incredibly creative things happening in Southampton.”