THE owner of a shoe shop has swapped laces for paint by opening an art gallery.

Jean Burr, manager of Burrs Shoes in Letchworth GC town centre, has set up Garden City Gallery in the shop next door.

Spurred on by a long-held hobby, Jean’s gallery is hosting work by around 25 artists from Comet country until the end of April in the first of a series of exhibitions.

“My hobby has always been art,” Jean said.

“Most of the artists involved do art at The Settlement in Nevells Road. We’ve got some modern art, stencil work, pastels – a real selection.

“It’s just for people from Letchworth and the surrounding areas so the artists are mostly from Letchworth. But we’ve also got people from Hitchin, Stevenage, Stotfold and Arlesey too.”

Since opening three weeks ago the response to the gallery has been such that Jean is already making further plans.

“We’re expanding to art classes in the evenings and already we’re getting success with that,” said Jean.

Garden City Gallery is situated in Leys Avenue, Letchworth GC.

For more information call Jean on 07595 473710.