NOTTINGHAM Contemporary has apologised after visitors were turned away from exhibitions on the first Monday since it opened.

The £20m arts venue threw open its doors to much fanfare on Saturday and attracted 6,000 people over the weekend.

But on Monday, though its café and shop were open, the exhibition space was closed.

Head of marketing Lynn Hanna said: "We are really sorry if anyone was disappointed. We close (exhibitions) on Mondays to do essential maintenance and check the artwork.

"This was obviously particularly important this Monday because we had that many people over the weekend."

The cafe and shop are open seven days a week and the Nottingham Contemporary website states exhibitions are closed on Mondays.

Ms Hanna said closing one day a week meant they could stay open until 7pm from Tuesday to Friday.

She said only a handful of people had wanted to view the artwork on Monday, adding: "Some people did decide to come back the next day."

But Courtney Borthwick, associate director at marketing firm Size 10½ Boots in the Lace Market, said closing on Mondays and at 7pm during the week seemed a "wasted opportunity."

He said if the exhibitions stayed open later people from outside the city could call in on their way to or from shows at the Trent FM Arena, and anyone on a long weekend in the area could visit on a Monday.

He added: "It seems such a shame. We should make it more accessible."

For details on opening hours and exhibitions, visit www.nottinghamcontemporary.org.

tanya.holden@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk