Builders start at St Paul’s

Building work has begun to convert St. Paul's, Walton Street, into Oxford's new centre for the arts. Contractors are building public and office facilities and equipping the centre with heating, lighting and other essentials ready for its new role. The building contract is due to be completed by mid-July, when other equipment including the project's grand piano, currently in the Town Hall, will be moved in.

Fundraising for the Project was given a boost recently when the English Tourist Board offered a grant of £15,000. This enabled Oxford Area Arts Council to enter the building contract and leaves a shortfall of only f 28,000 on the total appeal target of £262,000. Organisers are confident of raising this over the next six months, with plans including the issue of an interest-yielding bearer bond designed by Bill Jacklin.

Following the equipping of the building a "pre-opening" programme of events is planned to bring St. Paul's to life. In the Autumn there will be a Gala opening and the first full season of performances.