Hepplestone Fine Art, an award-winning art retailer in Lancashire, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Founded by Clive and his son Giles, both avid art collectors, the gallery opened in 2004 in a small space at the Carrington Centre in Eccleston. In 2010, it relocated to a purpose-built gallery at Heskin Hall Shopping Village, which allowed for expanded exhibitions and evening events. The gallery gained national recognition by winning Art Retailer of the Year from the Fine Art Trade Guild in 2016 and 2018. In 2024, it opened a second location in Wilmslow, Cheshire. A highlight was hosting the first UK gallery appearance by American artist Todd White, who continues to exhibit with them every two years. The gallery now represents emerging talents like Stockport's Lucy Manfredi and remains focused on bringing fine art to collectors both in-person and online.
This story matters because it highlights the resilience and growth of a family-run independent gallery in a regional market, demonstrating how passion and community support can build a successful art business outside major metropolitan centers. The gallery's national awards and expansion into a second location underscore the viability of regional art retail, while its ability to attract internationally collected artists like Todd White shows that local galleries can compete on a global stage. The article also reflects broader trends in the art market, such as the increasing importance of online sales and the cultivation of emerging artists to sustain long-term collector engagement.