Bloody, but unbowed: Director of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust speaks of determination to find a home for Swindon's unique art collection

Director of the Swindon Museum and Art Gallery Trust Rod Hebden appeared upbeat in the wake of the news that the bid for £12.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund had fallen through - and determined to build on the momentum of the project.

Under the proposed scheme, Swindon’s nationally important collection of 20th century art would have been housed in an iconic, purpose-built ‘winged’ design building on the site of the Wyvern Theatre car park.

At a press conference in the gallery of Swindon’s present museum and art gallery this morning Mr Hebden said: “I’m still smiling, but it’s been so difficult to keep this under wraps,” adding that he had received the disappointing news 11 weeks ago and had been forced to remain tight lipped ahead of the local elections.

“I have to admit that part of me is gutted at the news, that’s the word that a lot of people have been using, but it’s now important to move on positively.”

He explained that feedback from the HLF had been “glowing” and that the cooperation between the Trust and Swindon Borough Council and the strength of the bid had been praised.

“We knew that it was going to be difficult - I personally estimated that we had a 1 in 3 chance of securing the money. It was an ambitious bid and everyone involved put their heart and soul into it. We have been in contact with the Lottery Fund since the bid went in and they have said that although we were not successful, they were keen to work with us to support us in creating a new home for Swindon’s art collection.”

He said that the news, while admittedly a set-back, did not mean that they were back to square one.

“It’s not completely back to the drawing board because there’s been a lot of work that has been done in the background into the collection and the audience, and we need to build on that. We should celebrate everything that’s been achieved and build on that.

“It’s not going to be a quick fix and there is no easy answer but you learn, move on and adapt. We have already got talks lined up with the council and the lottery fund. We are not taking a breather, it's full steam ahead.”

And on whether a less ambitious bid would have had a greater chance of success Rod said: “There is no way of knowing, but we felt it was important to create the best bid we could. I don’t think that cutting corners is the way forward.”

Addressing the vocal campaign against the proposals, that have been waged on social media and in the real world, Rod said: “The good thing is that it shows that the people of Swindon are passionate about their heritage and to engage in that debate, which has to be a good thing for the town. We have had some people who signed the petition against the proposed art gallery in the first instance but then changed their mind about it when they found out more about it. And of course there have been others who remain strongly against it. We are keen to continue to talk to everyone - it’s important that we keep having those conversations. One of the positive things about this whole process is the level of debate. It shows that people care about heritage. Most people want the best for Swindon. It’s passionate people who care about the town that will help bring about change.”

Sitting alongside Rod Hebden was Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard, who explained that there was a pressing need for the town’s art collection to be housed in a more suitable building.

“The one thing that people agree on is that this building is not fit for purpose. When it was opened in 1964 it was only ever going to be a temporary site. But temporary buildings have a habit of becoming permanent. We are going to look at all the options open to us.”