New arts venue and cafe opens for 'vibrant and creative community' in Windsor

Visitors have been given a ‘taste of what’s to come’ at the launch of Windsor’s newest creative arts venue.

Other Space Arts (OSA) is a Windsor-based Community Interest Company based at Kardelton House on the Vansittart Estate, offering an arts venue, cafe and bar.

Providing a space for emerging artists to connect with their audiences was integral to founders Matt Fleming and Eleanor Chownsmith.

They secured the large, industrial space in late 2024 to transform it into a creative hub and a welcoming venue for art, live music, community events, and food.  

The pair said providing a space for emerging artists to connect with audiences was ‘more important than ever’ with so many small venues under threat around the UK.

“We’re excited to connect diverse, grassroots artists with audiences in Windsor, as typically people have had to travel to London or Reading to access this kind of music”, said Matt.

“There’s such a vibrant and creative community here, so we hope OSA can be a home for them, as well as a regular stop on UK-wide artists’ tours”, added Eleanor.

They look forward to programming events at their dedicated space, after running creative events around Windsor for years, including Music & Words Club, Windsor Fringe Festival and International Women’s Day.

Their opening weekend on March 1 and 2 featured DJ sets, a plant-based menu from chef Chris Nelson and beverages from neighbouring breweries Windsor & Eton, Indie Rabble and Two Flints.

Committed to supporting fellow local businesses, OSA will regularly stock these beers and coffee from Marlow-based roastery Coopers.

As Windsor’s only fully plant-based café and restaurant, visitors can enjoy a fully plant-based menu, a range of beverages, bar snacks and lunch options, including grab-and-go sandwiches made with focaccia from Heidi’s bakery.

The live events venue and gallery upstairs will open in April with a programme spanning genres such as RnB, folk, electronic and punk, and platforming grassroots artists.

One visitor said: “The plant-based food was incredible, the service was super friendly and the place was packed with a really great crowd of all ages. It’s like it had been transported from somewhere in East London and dropped into Windsor. I’m going to come here A LOT.”

Matt and Eleanor launched a crowdfunder to fund essential renovations to ‘bring this ambitious project to life’ and have raised £3,128 out of a £10,000 target.

Some work includes refurbishing the kitchen and installing new lighting, speakers, and heating.  

The upstairs studio will be converted into a live music venue with evening events and a space for community groups and workshops during the day.

Other Space Arts is now open on Thursdays and Fridays from 9am to 3pm, Saturdays from 9am to 11pm and Sundays from 9am to 5pm.

An events programme, with updated opening hours, will commence on Saturday, April 5.

For more information visit: www.otherspacearts.com