Portrait of Sukhbinder in his shop at the City Arcade
- Date:
- 6 Nov 2023
- Location:
- City Arcade, Queen Victoria Road, Coventry
- Reference:
- HEC01/128/01/08/05
- Type:
- Photograph (Digital)
In 2022-23 Historic England commissioned several photographers to work with local communities to capture images representative of their local high streets. This formed part of the Picturing High Streets project. In September 2023, Historic England and Photoworks added a commission for an artist working in England to create new photographs of their local high street. As well as the artists photographing their high street, this commission supported the artists practice through mentoring with the Photoworks team and longer-term collaboration. Ayesha Jones was selected and worked in the Coventry Market and City Arcade. She documented the stall holders and their experience of working there ahead of the closure of the City Arcade in 2024. This image is one of a set of six produced as a result of this work. The photographer wrote the following text about this image: "Sukhbinder in his shop looking away from camera after explaining about the demolition and his retirement.
City Arcade is due to be demolished in 2024 (was going to be 2023 but the date keeps getting pushed back) so a lot of businesses have moved on, in preparation. Sukhbinder is one of the few business owners still going. He owns an off licence. He said that he will not move now, he is too old to start all over again. So, when City Arcade is demolished, he will be forced to retire." 'Picturing England's High Streets' commission by Historic England and Photoworks.
This is part of the Volume: HEC01/128/01/08 Picturing High Streets Photographer Residencies - Ayesha Jones: Coventry; within the Sub Series: HEC01/128/01 Picturing High Streets: Photographer Residencies; within the Series: HEC01/128 Picturing High Streets; within the Collection: HEC01 Historic England
© Ayesha Jones
Creator of Archive: Jones, Ayesha
21st Century Market, People
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