A popular Isle of Man art gallery has shut its doors citing financial difficulties as the reason for its demise.

The Sayle Gallery, which had occupied a site on the Villa Marina colonnade for the past 10 years, closed for business at the end of September.

One of its directors, Fiona Helleur, said she could offer little more information on the matter.

’It has shut and that is literally all I know,’ she said.

’We are bitterly, shockingly and terribly disappointed because it was a fantastic asset to the Isle of Man.

’It was a lovely gallery and everyone who worked there enjoyed it but unfortunately it was unsustainable.

’It’s purely financial. It certainly wasn’t for lack of talent.

’It’s not something we thought would happen and I wish we could change it.’

Technically there are no redundancies as the people worked there on a self-employed basis.

’It was a massive asset to the art world and we are now virtually the only country that does not have a national art gallery,’ she added.

The final two exhibitions at the gallery displayed works by Petrina Kent and secondary school and UCM students taking part in the Sovereign Art Foundation Student Prize.

An official announcement is expected soon.

In late 2015, the then Department of Education and Children, which allocates the Isle of Man Arts Council budget, agreed to give the Sayle Gallery £19,000 following talks with gallery representatives.

The funding covered six months’ rent and 50% funding for an artist in residence for 2016. Earlier that year it was announced in Tynwald the Arts Council would not pay rent for the gallery at the Villa colonnade after March 2016.