09 Feb 2026
A new mural reflecting on the history of a George Street building is being formerly unveiled this week.
The work, on the side of George Street Canteen, is the result of a unique collaboration between acclaimed artist Ant Steel and the charity The Arts Society St Albans, brought together by Professor Tim Boatswain, chair of Conservation 50.
The artwork pays playful homage to the café’s reputation as a famously dog-friendly establishment, featuring an array of canine characters drawn from past and present local neighbours.
The project delves deeper into the site’s history, where the buildings once housed a butcher’s shop and slaughterhouse – a fact noted by an existing blue sticker and echoed in the original metal fixtures preserved within the mural wall.
Professor Tim Boatswain explained: “This work, sponsored by The Arts Society St Albans, is the latest in a series of murals, created by Ant Steel transforming the city’s alleys and walls into an open-air history book. It perfectly encapsulates Conservation 50’s mission to make local history engaging and available to all.”
The project was made possible by the generous permission of George Street Canteen owners, Kevin and Julie Lee. Funding was secured by The Arts Society St Albans, a member society of the wider organisation The Arts Society which supports arts and heritage education at a local level.
It is hoped that the mural will not only delight the café’s many customers but also encourage them to explore the rich programme of arts talks and events offered by The Arts Society St Albans. The Society meets in a friendly environment at the Abbey Theatre on the second Wednesday of each month.
The unveiling will take place at 11am this Friday, February 13, and the public are welcome to attend.
