Garstang Arts Centre 

The school opened as ‘The Boys’ Grammar School’ in 1760. The education was ‘elementary ’, and fees had to be paid to assist with the Master’s salary of £3 15s per year.  It is said, and some internal physical features suggest, that at some stage the building was made two-storey, with girls being accommodated on the upper floor.   

In 1928, the school was closed by the County Education Committee, which had become increasingly involved as the public system of education developed.  Local needs were now able to be met by the new denominational schools in Garstang and Bonds.  However, the old school was used until 1965 by the Education Committee as a Special Subjects Centre, cookery for girls and woodwork for boys. 

In 1969, the building became the Arts Centre with the declared object of “promoting an interest in the Arts throughout the district”.
Much work had to be done, money, time and energy spent, to make the ‘down at heel’ building suitable for its intended use.

The next major change was the building of the extension and the welding of it to a completely refurbished schoolroom – a 1980s project undertaken and financed by the Town Trust who are the landlords of ‘The Garstang and District Arts Society’ (a registered charity) who took on the management and running of the Arts Centre  

Garstang Arts Centre is the focal point for local arts of all types, and home to Garstang and District Arts Society. The Arts Centre is open to everyone to view the FREE Exhibitions , visit the Cafe, or join one of the groups.  

There are FREE Lunchtime Concerts in the summer and regular Craft and Collectors Fairs.