Platform Gallery (P5) opened in July 2019 in a space formerly used as the General Waiting Room on Platform 5 of the railway station. The work to bring the old Waiting Room back into use was assisted by ISS and the station partnership volunteers. Northern’s contractors also contributed by re-painting the walls and woodwork. Funding for the transformation has been received from Northern, Transport for Greater Manchester and Transpennine Express. Although further improvements are planned, these have been delayed and will be put back on track as soon as possible. The opening of the Platform Gallery was a very significant milepost in the development of Bolton Station as a national exemplar of community rail development in practice.

P5 has already provided an opportunity for local artists Andy Smith and Phil Porter to exhibit and in August 2019 we hosted a world first (we believe) – an exhibition of art work by Railway Workers (active and retired).  Students from the Graphic Design and Photography Departments at the University of Bolton School of the Arts have also shown work there, as have the Bolton Documentary Photography Society with their exhibition of photographs from Bolton’s amateur theatre productions.

We have had great local publicity, from Bolton News and Bolton FM, as well as positive coverage in the rail media. There are plans for another exciting programme of exhibitions once circumstances permit us to open the gallery again. Funding from Transpennine includes an allowance for a PA system and new lighting, so we plan for P5 to become a versatile performance space embracing many different art forms.

For information about booking an exhibition please contact Julie Levy julielevy9@yahoo.co.uk