Sadness as Aberdeen gallery to close after more than 30 years

An Aberdeen gallery, which has operated in the city’s Rosemount area for more than 30 years, is to close at the end of the month.

Owner Alan Watt put Belvidere Gallery up for sale in August last year.

However, despite his “very hard” efforts to find a new owner, there has been no firm interest.

The 70-year-old, who is married to Kathleen, opened the gallery on Rosemount Place in 1992 after spending two years working out of his home garage.

Mr Watt had previously said he hoped to keep it open until a buyer was found but said the interest they had “wasn’t enough” with him now wanting to look towards retirement.

The dad-of-one said: “We did try very hard for over a year but there was nobody that really wanted to engage in a small business or the skills just weren’t there.

“It’s sad but we are looking forward to retirement.

“The end of the month the signs will be coming down and that will be that. We had some interest but it wasn’t enough.

“It’s a rather complicated business to learn.

“Craftsmanship, photography and photoshop. We covered a huge number of skills there and it would have been an awful lot for somebody to take on.”

‘Overwhelmed’ by support

The picture framing business has built up a loyal customer base over the years with clients including Aberdeen University and the Marcliffe and Chester hotels.

Mr Watt said he has been overwhelmed with the support of the local community and admits he will be sad to leave the area.

He said: “We’ve had an enormous number of well-wishers in Rosemount.

“They have been coming in and buying probably more pieces of artwork than they’ve ever done before.

“I think they are probably looking for a souvenir of the gallery.

“There’s been an enormous amount of goodwill shown with people taking in champagne and wine. We are very humbled.

“We did have a closing date of March 31 but we found it wasn’t really feasible so we just carried on and called it the closing down process with us winding down.”

Rosemount a ‘prime location’

The building is now up for rent and Mr Watt is hopeful a new tenant can also enjoy success in the “buoyant” area.

He said: “I know there has been some interest already. It’s a good area and a prime location in Rosemount.

“It’s very buoyant and we are sorry to be leaving it.”

Mr Watt first started developing his craftsmanship skills while at school before then progressing to work out of his garden shed.

Looking forward to retirement he has no plans to down tools.

He said:  “I’m still going to be carrying on with my photography and picture framing as a hobby which has gone right back to square one where it started in the garden and conservatory.”