A Slice of History Served Daily: New Mural for the George Street Canteen
- Tim Boatswain
- Nov 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 27
St Albans, (25 Nov 2025) – A vibrant new chapter in St Albans’ public art scene is set to begin, as Conservation 50 and renowned graffiti artist Ant Steel have received the green light to paint a historical mural on the west wall entrance of the beloved George Street Canteen.
This exciting project, sponsored by The Arts Society St Albans, has been made possible by the enthusiastic permission of the Canteen's owners, Kevin and Julie Lee. It continues a successful collaboration between the artist and Professor Tim Boatswain, Chair of Conservation 50, who work together to celebrate the city’s rich heritage on the very walls where its history unfolded.
The new artwork will serve a dual purpose. It will nostalgically remind passers-by that the George Street Canteen was once a traditional butcher's shop, while simultaneously celebrating its modern-day identity as a famously dog-friendly café. This blend of past and present is a hallmark of the mural project's mission to make local history engaging and accessible to all.
This initiative is the latest in a series of murals transforming the city's alleys and walls into an open-air history book. The first, in Sovereign Way, brought figures from the infamous Election Scandal of 1851 back to life, sponsored by the St Albans & Hertfordshire Architectural and Archaeological Society and Christopher Place. It was followed by a powerful piece in Lamb Alley, where a man-at-arms from the Wars of the Roses now stands guard, a silent sentinel reminding us that two major battles from that conflict raged in St Albans in 1455 and 1461.
“We are thrilled to see this project come to life at the George Street Canteen,” said Tim Boatswain. “These murals are more than just art; they are visual stories that connect us to the layers of our city’s past. This one, in particular, beautifully links the commercial history of the building with its vibrant contemporary community use.”
Artist Ant Steel added, “It’s a privilege to work on a project that so creatively honours the character of St Albans. I hope this mural will not only catch the eye but also spark conversations about the city’s fascinating history and its wonderful local businesses.”
The community is invited to watch the mural’s progress and, once complete, to visit, enjoy a coffee with their four-legged friends, and experience this latest fusion of art, history, and local flavour.
Notes
About Conservation 50: A leading heritage group in St Albans dedicated to the preservation and celebration of the city's historic environment.
About Ant Steel: A graffiti artist known for his historical and socially engaged public art.
About The Arts Society: A leading arts education charity with over 90,000 members worldwide, which provides funding and support for arts and heritage projects.
TSAAS chair Bob Moore said he hoped their involvement would raise awareness of what The Arts Society St Albans can offer.
“The Society is a body that appreciates art in all forms. Our lectures – at The Abbey Theatre at 10.30 am on the second Wednesday of the month – provide a welcoming place to hear experts share their specialist knowledge about all aspects of the arts. Online presentations and occasional trips are also offered.
The next lecture will be on December 10, when a regular contributor, Sandy Burnett, will entertain with a talk entitled ‘Tchaikovsky to Tin Pan Alley – Music for Christmas’. Sandy is one of the UK’s most versatile music commentators and will supplement his talk with music ranging from ‘The Nutcracker’ to Eartha Kitt.”
The lecture is free for TASSA members and £7.50 for non-members, but the Membership Secretary should be contacted in advance by emailing janesayers110@yahoo.co.uk
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