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We've had a massive response to the Austins story. Nearly 200 thousand views of the interior I was given exclusive access to. .... And the response? Rarely as nuanced in favour of a thing. The historic building is to be bought and handed over to The Inner City Trust for regeneration. This now begs a wider question:

'What Now for the Historic Walled City?'

Think about it. As i've shaped it online today ... Austins now at the heart of it all. Bishops Gate Hotel flourishing. Tower Museum and Craft Village to be embedded into an entirely new cityscape in The City Deal. St Columb's Hall refurbishment progressing well as a state of the art venue. New energy among the 'Cathedral Quarter Traders'. State of the art renovation of the historic accommodation at the bottom of Magazine St. The 'Inner Walled City Public Realm' progressing well: that's all those new paths and roads all the way from St Augustine's, down Magazine St, and across to the Forum ... and there's probably loads more substantial stuff to note inside the Walls.

The dust has settled on the Austins Rescue and regeneration. My distinguished panel are here to reflect on finally, what looks like a changing and progressing Walled City.

~ Former Derry, then Northern Ireland Chief Planner Mary MacIntyre
~ Former Austins owner Declan Hasson
~ Helen Quigley, Inner City Trust
~ Peter Tracey, Foyle Civic Trust
~ Paul McCole, Sandwich Co/Cathedral Quarter