Where needs an arts centre more than the mean streets?

A very good blog on my town, recently posted on plans for a new supermarket and how that would rejuvenate the town centre. This provoked a lively debate, with one camp all in favour and another camp wanting rejuvenation to be more culturally-focused.

Some commenters thought no-one in the town would be interested in visual art or music, which prompted me to realise that actually, there's tons going on here - hundreds of up'n'coming bands, local uni arts centre, masses of dance troupes, craft groups, cinema societies, amateur dramatics groups - it's just that people create it for themselves, rather than it being provided. Little ole me, I'm involved in three separate groups, which are all about arts and music:

1. Stitch'n'B*tch - sewing and knitting group;
   
2. Animé, Manga & Gaming, south Cheshire; and,
   
3. The Cat Radio Station.
   

This suggestion drew comments that given the town's social challenges, cultural stuff would be wasted on the people who live here, but I can't think of anyone who appreciates cultural provision more, after all the people of Kensington and the Cheshire Set can buy their own Monets - and what do us working stiffs have, now our manufacturing jobs, not to mention our call centre jobs, have gone?

Also, check-out this new blog, which  unites 2 & 3 above.