First glimpse inside The Public

It has been eight years in the making, has caused huge controversy and still The Public remains something of a mystery.

The Express & Star is the first newspaper to get inside the centre ahead of the official opening on June 28.

But this was no see-all look at the £54 million attraction in West Bromwich.

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Instead our photographer was banned – the images you see here were all supplied by The Public itself – and, more bizarrely, feature writer Peter Rhodes was prevented from going on the tour after being deemed a "health and safety hazard". The sneak preview was certainly that – I was flanked throughout the 45-minute tour by project director David Clarke, head of marketing Laura-Mae Brown, a press officer from the Public's PR company and another member of staff.

Work is still clearly ongoing to make sure The Public is ready for the opening, with staff working against the clock.

What you do see is bright, brash and striking. Work has been completed on the 250-seat orange and black theatre and events space, which is already booked up to the end of the year.

Huge metal trees have been erected in the four-floor building, spreading a pattern of leaves on the floor. The ground floor is dominated by a huge mirrored pod housing the toilets, with doors leading off to the theatre.

Work is still ongoing on the cafe bar and "pinktank" lounging area. The pink tinted windows are set off with pink and purple neon lighting and a walkway leading through the four-storey building from exhibit to exhibit from top to bottom.

What the people of West Bromwich will make of it remains to be seen. Most of the permanent pieces have yet to be installed and are still under wraps prior to next week's opening.

Although I saw the steel trees, I saw nothing of the digital waterfalls, flying avatars, winding paths and sound tunnels promised to visitors. And staff couldn't say how many businesses have taken up space in The Public's "pods" – apparently talks are ongoing. David Clarke, project director, said he is confident the gallery will be a success, despite a £6.95 entrance fee for adults.

He said: "There have been a number of challenges throughout the build, the biggest problem being the fact that we haven't been able to show our critics what we are doing.

"It is impossible for people to know from the outside what is going on in here. We want to be able to throw open the doors and say, 'Come in and see what it is we are talking about'."

The public will soon get their chance. Between June 28 and July 18 more than 1,000 Sandwell residents will be offered free tickets to the gallery and asked for feedback.

Mr Clarke's more immediate challenge, however, is to make the building feel more complete before next Tuesday, when the full press launch will be held.

By Sally Walmsey.