Picturing High Streets was a three-year project delivered by Photoworks to create a contemporary picture of England’s high streets through artist residencies and a public call out. It was part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones Cultural Programme, and produced in partnership with GRAIN Projects, Impressions Gallery, Open Eye Gallery, London College of Communications, Photofusion, QUAD/FORMAT, Redeye, ReFramed and The Photographers’ Gallery.
From September 2022 to September 2023, people across England responded to themed fortnightly challenges and submitted their photographs on Instagram under the hashtag #PicturingHighStreets. All entries created an unofficial archive documenting a year in the life of the English high street on Instagram, and a selection form this permanent collection in the Historic England Archive.
This photograph was selected to represent the theme ‘High Street Eats’. The brief for this theme was: ‘From chip shops to chai stops, high streets play host to some of our most treasured places to eat. Whatever your favourite food, these photographs show how high streets bring different cuisines, cultures and communities together’.
The photographer wrote the following text to explain how their image relates to this theme: "Pinion Bistro is located on Eccleston Street in the centre of Prescot. It opened in October 2018 following a successful crowdfunding campaign to raise £50,000 in 24 hours. A total of 1,193 people pledged their support which raised £86,624 in 24 hours – reaching the original target of £50k in just 59 minutes! The outside of the building was restored back to its original 1930’s modern movement architectural design using smooth brick surfaces and sleek materials such as steel and polished granite. It is one of a range of shop fronts that have been restored by the Prescot Townscape Heritage Imitative, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund. Since the opening in Prescot of the Shakespeare North Playhouse (July 2022), Pinion has seen its pre-theatre dinner nights fully sold out!"
This is part of the Volume: HEC01/128/02/01 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project - High Street Eats; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/02 Picturing High Streets: Mass Participation Project; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Steve Samosa
Photographer: Samosa, Steve
21st Century Restaurant, Food And Drink
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