The Lombard Street Gallery is celebrating its tenth anniversary since Janet Williams’ stroke of genius to open it.

Back in 2008, Janet saw a great opportunity to develop the building in Margate.

It was then that her appreciation of the arts had the space to blossom, as despite working for the NHS at the time she had always encompassed a degree of creativity and so was keen to try something new.

“It took a lot of work to turn it into the light, bright airy space that is open to the public today,” Janet said.

“Margate looked very different ten years ago.

“While the High Street was busier, with an M&S and Woolworths, there was no Turner Contemporary or regenerated Dreamland.

“Margate did, however, have what it has always had - a strong community of people who value art and creativity.”

Since its opening, more than 100 exhibitions for the public to enjoy have been curated.

Janet said: “One of my favourite was an annual event we ran for five years entitled Pushing Print.

“It was the inspiration of Dawn Cole and it comprised of an open print exhibition at the gallery and Pie Factory.

“The exhibition also ran a supporting educational print programme and one year, it even had a steam roller set up in the old town to produce enormous prints for the public to see.”

To celebrate, the gallery will be hosting a special tenth anniversary exhibition showing carefully selected pieces from the artists it represents, including Emma Thomson, Greg Bottle and Hugh Ribbans.

Ruth McDonald, another exhibiting artist, said: “I love British seaside towns and Lombard Street Gallery celebrates the best Margate has to offer, it is a joy to exhibit there in the heart of my favourite place in Kent.”

The opening will be from 2pm until 6pm on Saturday, December 1, and will run until Sunday, February 3.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday 11am until 5pm, and from midday to 4pm on Sundays and bank holiday Mondays.