During the recent difficult years of "austerity" .......

..... it has been very reassuring to hear from our political leaders that

 "We are all in it together".

For some people it is a matter of faith.

They believe that if you carefully prepare the "Canvas", and have enough faith,

then Banksy will come in the dead of night and produce one of his masterpieces.

Visit this collection of Banksy's work

Union Street (2)

Perhaps the most challenging "regeneration project" is going be trying to find a new role 

for the near derelict Palace Theatre.

Union Street (1)

A major 20 year regeneration project of Union Street is due to begin shortly.

I hope it is not too late to save some of its distinctive character.

Union Street

This was not the actual Grand Theatre, it was the pub next door. It pre-dated the Theatre, which opened in 1889, and it outlived it.

The theatre was bombed in 1941 and was not rebuilt after the war.

The pub was closed in 2010 and, although it is within the conservation area, the future of the site is uncertain.

Less than fifty metres along Union Street is this pub, The Doghouse.

A Few of the Exhibitors in the Final Degree show, with links to their websites

 Katie Nicholls

 
Marcus Crandon

Nicole Jenkins

Mel Knight

Change and Decay

The Palace Theatre, in Union Street, opened as a music hall in 1898. After only eight months it was damaged by fire but it re-opened in 1899 as the New Palace Theatre of Varieties. In 1961 it was converted to dual use as a theatre and Bingo hall, operating as such till 1983 when it became The Academy Disco. It was closed in 2006, following police anti drugs operations.

The building is Grade 2 listed, and is included by The Victorian Society in its list of the UK's 10 most endangered and best Victorian and Edwardian buildings.

If only someone could suggest a viable use for it and could afford to renovate it.