As some of you may know, the future of the four artists' studio groups located in the Oldknows Factory - home to no less than four of Nottingham's artists studio groups - is in doubt. 

The four studio groups affected are Can Studios, Egerton Studio Group, Oldknows Studio Group and Opus Studios. 

This is happening because the leases these studio groups hold on the building will be running out in 2 years time, and the owner of the building has indicated that he wants to sell up.

If these studios, which are used by a total of around 50 artists, are not saved (or replaced elsewhere in Nottingham) then it is very possible that Nottingham will see an exodus of artists and creative talent, with a potentially devastating roll-on effect on Nottingham's Creative Industries sector.

A History of Oldknows as a base for Creativity in Nottingham:

One of the first studio groups in the building - Oldknows Studio Group - was founded in 1987 by Fine Art graduates based in Nottingham. With the aid of an initial funding award from East Midlands Arts, the group took up residence on the third floor of Oldknows Factory, Nottingham.  Egerton Studio Group has been there nearly as long, having been set up in 1989.

• a history of Oldknows factory
• photos of Oldknows building