A legacy issue

Seven years ago Humber Street in Hull was a neglected, run down street, practically the last remaining remnant of Hull's fruitmarket down near the river front. It was seven years ago that the Kingston Art Group (KAG) moved into an old building there and turned it into a gallery with studios above. Seven years later, and next Friday KAG are having a leaving party, celebrating having had 80 exhibitions and over 80,000 visitors. Odd, isn't it? Now, Humber Street has been tarted up and new businesses encouraged. So, as is their right, the owners of the KAG building wanted it back and KAG lost their gallery just at the time when more visitors are being encouraged to wander down Humber Street. Is this part of the Hull City of Culture legacy? Or is it just another typical story of artist-led regeneration which leaves artists out in the cold? Yes, there is a new gallery, called the Humber Street, but there needs to be a critical mass to make this somewhat out of the way part of Hull become sustainably attractive. But rentiers have different ideas. How soon before a Costa opens up?