The Public

 

The Public at West Bromwich is a controversial building in the centre of the town which was built at a cost of  around £50,000,0000. Oblong it shape it is striking in its appearance due to the unusual window design.

Construction began in 2004 on land that was originally the site of the old bus station. To date the building is complete both externally and internally but the final stage of the complex was to have featured an Art Gallery that in May 2009 remains incomplete..

This building is the subject of much talk in West Bromwich and the wider West Midlands. It is fair to say that it has not been embraced fully by the community at all. It has been refered to as a misconceived project, in a town which has no swimming pool or cinema. There are a lot of people who think that £50 million could have been spent more wisely elsewhere.

There are other issues. Originally it was suggested that the centre would attract around 250,000 people a year. It is arguable that it will see the 100,000 visitors expected in the revised estimate. There are also funding issues ongoing and little clarification with regard to an expected completion date for the long awaited Art Gallery has not been forthcoming. Some might wonder as to the long term future of this landmark building.

The Public was opened in June 2008 with plans to introduce an entry fee. However, due to the complex not having been fully completed, adverse publicity, and the fact that the successful Walsall Art Gallery offers free entry - it is difficult to see how a £7 entry fee can be justified or how it will help boost the already disappointing attendance figures  whilst entry is free.

Just how will this building survive in its present form with an annual maintenance and running cost of £500,000? It sits in one of the poorest boroughs of the West Midlands. We visited on a May Bank Holiday Monday for the West Bromwich Music Festival event at The Public and parked across the road in the large and virtually empty car park.

Our visit was a pleasant experience and local bands played to a small audience in the cafe / bar area. Unfortunately, as if by design, the council had seen fit to authorise its traffic wardens to venture out and make a quick killing on several cars whose owners might right or wrongly have assumed that free Sunday parking rules applied on a Bank Holiday.

Arts events, displays, craft shows and a variety of activities take place at the centre and there are good cafe and bar facilities inside. Live music events take place on a regular basis.

 

The Public has attracted a fair amount of criticism locally and in the National Press. However, the interior of the building is very well designed and the lighting lends itself well to the spacious interior with its open plan seating areas and large glass windows.

The building was designed by Will Aslop who has referred to it as his finest creation to date. The Public website invites you to step through the big pink doors into the Pinktank, the Couture Cafe Bar and the reception and futuristic toilets. Visitors to the website will find a few words of explanation about the current status of the venue and its activities.

Whilst the original company due to run the interactive gallery has gone into receivership, the Arts Council has provided £ 3 million for Sandwell Council to take ownership and ensure that the gallery is up and running as soon as possible.

You can keep tabs on The Public and follow its progress, events and activities, by visiting www.thepublic.com

The Public, New Street, West Bromwich, B70 7PG.

Enquiries: Tel: 0121 533 7161. Box Office: Tel: 0121 533 7162