Former Spalding joke shop is on the market for £40,000

The small former joke shop in Spalding town centre is on the market for £40,000 - with an artist saying this has priced him out of taking it on.

Abstract artist Joey Lowe had wanted to open up in the former ‘Parky’s Pranks’ shop in The Crescent - but said the price tag put it out of reach.

The listing for the store - on the market with Longstaff - says it has 62 sq ft of useable floor space and no toilet or water connection.

The shop, which does have an electricity supply, has been on the market for almost a year.

Mr Lowe said: “My intention would have been to turn it into the smallest art gallery - to my knowledge - in Lincolnshire.

“Unfortunately I don’t have £40,000. Had it been up for rent it would’ve been a lot easier to fund it.

“It’s disappointing that it’s been left - it does spoil the vibe of The Crescent.”

Mr Lowe, who has exhibited his work in Ayscoughfee and now has art on display in Louth, has called for a gallery in the town to showcase and celebrate our artists.

He has previously enquired about displaying art in one of the town centre’s empty shops while owners try to find a new retailer.

He added: “I did contact a couple of premises and said I would like to rent out an empty shop for a month and do an art exhibition and they all said they didn’t want to do anything in the short term.”

He also feels it would be nice for artists and pop up businesses to have a space in the town from which to launch or expand their enterprises - with many people starting ventures from home during lockdown.

He called on council chiefs to work with the community to help create this sort of space as part of efforts to revive the town.

The owner of the former joke shop in The Crescent contacted the Spalding Guardian and indicated he thought the price was fair.