In France a special programme has been launched for "la petite patrimoine" aimed at providing help for all sorts of minor buildings that add charm and character to the countryside. In Britain we have a particular problem with large numbers of small individual buildings such as sheds, barns and workshops, currently vacant but which could be put to constructive use and play an important part in the regeneration of both town and countryside. Many simple sheds and barns are of considerable interest as structures, whether of cast iron, steel or wood, shabby as they may look. The potential of many once overlooked industrial areas (particularly in the Midlands, the North and the boat building yards of the South Coast and Clydeside) is demonstrated by the experience of Camden Lock in London and Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. A good example is a complex of foundries and small workshops along the canal beside Walsall's acclaimed new art gallery, where many buildings in a parlous state of decay could become home to a whole host of activities and businesses. One principle established by the great American writer on cities Jane Jacobs is that "small is beautiful". Many such areas deserve an injection of funds for essential repairs to modest disused buildings that will provide space for new enterprises.