The Bermuda Society of Arts has been ordered to give up its City Hall gallery by June.

The board of the Society, which has had its gallery in City Hall for almost 50 years, yesterday expressed shock at the move and said it was due to meet with landlords the Corporation of Hamilton next week.

The Royal Gazette understands that the Corporation needs the space for offices.

Mayor of Hamilton Sutherland Madeiros said the Corporation would not be releasing a statement on the matter until next week.

But when asked about City Hall's need for office space five months ago, he said: "There are some people who believe that we should just ask the gallery to move out and take over that space.

"As long as I'm Mayor that won't happen."

BSoA presidents Jean Gardner and Edwin Smith said in a statement yesterday: "We were surprised to receive six months' notice to vacate the BSoA gallery space. We have been a tenant of the Corporation of Hamilton for 47 years.

"As the Corporation rightly pointed out in their notice to vacate, our presence at City Hall since 1960 has been beneficial both to the BSoA and to the Corporation.

"We have requested a meeting with the Corporation so that we might understand their position more fully and ultimately weigh our options."

A BSoA source pointed out that City Hall is also known as an Arts Centre and said: "This swift blow is even more tragic as the BSoA is thriving, is well supported and represents the community across the board. It will be a great loss.

"The COH should provide temporary office space for itself on its grounds until it can build elsewhere on its acres of land and look after its needs without sacrificing the community it serves."

Five months ago, when asked about his plans for City Hall by The Royal Gazette, Mr. Madeiros said: "We've run out of space at City Hall and we need to do something about it.

"It's my belief that we should build onto the back of City Hall and provide some additional space for the Bermuda National Gallery and some additional office space for the Corporation of Hamilton.

"There are some people who believe that we should just ask the gallery to move out and take over that space. As long as I'm Mayor that won't happen. At least I have the power of veto.

"I think the writing on the wall in front of City Hall says City Hall and Arts Centre – and that's important.

"I think it's important to have a national gallery. I think it's important that we have the Bermuda Society of Arts and I think we can build on that rather than try to reduce that."