Our new mural by Sheffield illustrator Willustration

Chosen via a poll of Union St members from three suggestions by Guardian writer Dan Dylan Wray, the most popular choice of “OK. Ready’ Lets Do it“ were the first words heard – just before the song kicks in – on the debut single by the Human League, who formed in Sheffield (before selling over 20 million records).

Dan explained: “There’s a slightly motivational element to it without being overboard, and the words originally represented a bold leap into the future. ‘Being Boiled’ was a pivotal single in electronic music, David Bowie declared it the sound of the future and it was a benchmark moment in Sheffield and UK music history.”

Sheffield-based graphic illustrator Will Rea aka Willustration was interviewed for a film by Sheffield Hallam Uni’s Department of Art & Design in our ground-floor café. It's brilliant to see the final video online and hear Will saying that it was the first commission for Union St that encouraged him to believe he could make his illustration work as a future and as a job.

National acclaim for Studio Polpo from the RIBA

Our top-floor anchor tenants Studio Polpo have been hailed by the Royal Institute of British Architects for offering "an example to the whole profession on bringing together unexpected disciplines, marginal communities, artists and funding to tackle important issues of the day, while having fun".

You can read the full article in the RIBA Journal here.

For more on Studio Polpo and their work here at Union St, check out this video interview:

New Member Mondays: 14th June

This week’s new members are Julie and Sam…

Julie is here two days per week and is a super interesting founder and consultant, having established and sold her agency and now being able to choose a better work-life balance. You can follow Julie on Twitter at https://twitter.com/iamjulievincent.

Sam is three days per week and is currently enjoying the pleasures of marking his students’ coursework. As an Urban Sociologist at Birmingham University with an interest in grassroots movements, you can find Sam on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sjburgum.