BUSINESSES have taken up a new initiative to ‘adopt a house’ during this year’s Saltaire Arts Trail which takes place this weekend.

At the heart of the annual Trail are the now famous Open Houses - a village wide gallery set in the Grade II listed homes of residents and shops.

A total of 22 houses and venues around the World Heritage village will be open to the public during the Saltaire Arts Trail from Saturday to Monday.

One major highlight will be the presence of this year's Contemporary Craft Tour, Rural Craft re-imagined, which features the skills of seven of the best rural craftspeople working in the UK today.

“Saltaire approached us on the basis of the excellent reputation of Highlights Contemporary Craft Tour,” said Karen Babayan, the contemporary craft tour officer with Highlights Rural Touring.

“The exhibition in Saltaire this coming weekend will provide the foundation for the northern England Tour later in the year.”

Rural Craft artists on display at Shipley College are Lizzie Farey, a basket weaver and sculptor working in willow, Mark Rowney, who uses traditional saddlery techniques to create surreal images, Lucy Sandys-Clarke, a blacksmith inspired by natural forms, Bill Robinson, a cabinetmaker applying his skills to stunning wooden vessels, Pip Hall, a lettercarver whose collaborations include poetry in the landscape and Lynn Setterington, who is famous for her modern interpretations of traditional quilting techniques.

New for this year's Arts trail is the creation of the strand of artist-owned houses: Open Houses – Made in Saltaire showing the work of artists who live in the village.

Saltaire Inspired invited companies to 'adopt’ an Open House for £100 and Pickles delicatessen and restaurant in Baildon is one of to have signed up a house.

Saltaire Inspired chairman, June Russell said "The Arts Trail regularly attracts 8,000 to 10,000 visitors, so our ‘adopt a house’ scheme is a great opportunity for local businesses to promote themselves to a wide audience while supporting a vibrant volunteer-led community arts event.

"This year the event is even more diverse and exciting, as we have received substantial funding for our artistic programme from Arts Council England.

"We still have spaces available and would love to hear from anyone who’d like to get involved."

Businesses that would like more information on the ‘adopt a house’ scheme should contact Alison Povey, event co-coordinator, sat@saltaireinspired.org.uk.