A quick note on my visit to the Phoenix Gallery last week.

It was a truly inspiring visit.

I had no idea that, having started out as a collective, the Phoenix is now the largest independently run gallery of its kind in the South East, or that over 100 artists have studios within the building - all of whom pay affordable rent, and have a stake in the building.

I had the privilege of meeting two of the artists who work there, Anne and Andrew, who took some time off from their painting to talk to me. 

They were both passionate about their work and about the Phoenix, and I took away with me a real sense of excitement about the prospects for it.

The sense of community which runs through the long corridors of the Gallery is obviously very strong.

This excitement was only increased by watching a wonderful presentation given to me by David Lichfield, the development manager of the Phoenix.

He showed me projections of how the building would look - a breathtaking, Gaudi inspired facade with sweeping curves - a million miles away from the current, rather drab and unappealing front the 30 million cars driving past each year currently see.

I heard about plans to install a cafe, an artists shop, a space for creative industries to hire, and renovation work to improve the building's insulation.

I have no doubt that this investment would be a very wise one; £2.5m is a small sum when you think about what it would bring to the City - an innovative space which would attract tourists, provide a beautiful space for artists, a space to relax for local residents, and a stunning visual reminder of Brighton's creativity.