The Public

A visit to The Public won’t fill your whole day but the architecture is quite impressive, if not a bit day-​glow and impractical for the venue’s purpose. The coffee shop inside is a tad pricey, especially for the local area and you can’t guarantee a peaceful cuppa with current chart hits blasting out. The Public’s permanent art collection of a digital gallery is dissappointing with exhibits holding a 10 second enjoyment factor but the journey through the digital trees is pretty. I’m a fan of creative, cultural spaces but the quality in the programming is lacking at times but there are often things going on for children and families. If you are a community group looking for venue hire it can be expensive but they are supportive in trying offer community opportunities in the space.

The Public SHOULD be an amazing space — it should be brimming with inspiration, creative activities and inspiring exhibitions — but somehow it seems to fall short.
The original central permanent exhibition is a slight let down — some of the works originally intended never worked, and what we’re left with is something which feels lacking in substance.
The building itself is striking, though it seems a curious decision to create a space meant to house exhibitions when there are no vertical interior walls suitable for hanging anything. Additionally, as the entire building has an open-​plan feel, if you’re visiting a business on the upper floors and a school party visits then prepare yourself for echoing squeals of children to distract you.
I feel sad that the original view of a centre for community art never somehow transpired, and what we’re left with is a giant building which is only half being used. I hope that this changes in the future, but with the current economy and political climate, it seems unlikely this will change any time soon.

The Public is situated right in the heart of West Bromwich and it’s a building that is run by the Sandwell Arts Trust. The aim of The Public is to be a creative place that inspires art and changes lives.
On occasions there were times where some sections of the media and the local community criticised the amount of money that was being pumped into The Public whilst the building was being constructed.
I have to admit I was concerned with the amount of money spent on the construction of the building and felt the money could have been spent on improving other areas of the town.
However as time has gone by, The Public is being used on a regular basis for art exhibitions, entertainment shows etc. The various architectures within the building are impressive to say the least and it is worth a visit. Plus it is free entry.
As part of a music concert, I performed at The Public and it is nice venue. It certainly was a change from the other venues I have performed at.

Worst place ever in West Brom, an embarrasment to look around, nothing there, expensive grub & beer. just a blot on the landscape.
The sooner this gets demolished the better !
BADDDDDDDDD !!!

this place as nothink for me so no iv tryed it staff are not very friendley and beer water down so no i wont go back there

what a waste of money. an eyesore doesn’t fit in with the theme of the town. in fact its criminal thta locals money was wasted on such a bizzare building, when there is so much deprivation in the town. Shirley should of been sacked for wasting money like this. give it a wide berth.

this place is too expensive6 pound for kids. no good at all.