The brand new gallery, almost entirely funded by local and central government, sits on a former colliery site, in a very ordinary part of town, directly opposite modest terraced houses. The gallery itself comprises two enormous spaces and the opening exhibition is a quick tour of Middle Eastern and Western art drawing on the Louvre's incomparable collections. One work must represent an entire movement, period or civilization, all displayed with complete uniformity, so the effect is rather like a supermarket. 'You are looking for the Renaissance, sir? Ah yes, aisle three, bottom shelf; the Assyrians? just over there behind the mummy.'

The star attraction is Delacroix's Liberty leading the people and, with admission free for the first twelve months, a lot of people have been duly attracted.

Exterior landscaping has yet to take place: apparently the ground is so contaminated that the only thing that will grow is moss.