It is perhaps a damning indictment of our times that a brand new flagship arts venue can have millions ploughed into it, hosting acclaimed music and theatre events, and yet still go into liquidation a mere two years after opening.

Yet such was the fate of the Stratford Circus, opening to huge fanfare from Newham Council in 2001, and closing its doors suddenly in 2003, until a local college stepped in to take control and save this marvellous building.

Happily, the Circus is now living up to its early billing as a cultural hub for east London, and with its proximity to the soon-to-be-redeveloped 2012 Olympic Village, it is set to become one of the jewels in east London's new crown.