Celebrations as £90k Arts Council cash secures re-opening of Lancaster Music Co-op
Lancaster’s music community is celebrating the long-awaited news that Lancaster Music Co-op will finally re-open after Arts Council England awarded £90,000 in crucial funding.
The vital community rehearsal facility, recording studio and music space in Lodge Street was in desperate needs of repairs when it was forced to close more than six years ago.
A huge battle ensued, first to secure a long-term lease from building owners Lancaster City Council, which had previously issued an eviction notice – then through a massive fundraising campaign to cover the costs of a full renovation.
Initial repairs, including a new roof, were funded by £1.2m from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Lancaster’s High Street Heritage Action Zone and the city council.
But a further £100,000 was needed. This has now been secured through the Arts Council England grant, which was dependant upon £10,000 in match-funding the co-op has raised thanks to the generosity of the local community.
The grant will fund the final build phases, which will see all works completed and include competition of rehearsal and recording rooms, the office, and all finishing works.
This will allow the co-op to re-open in June 2027.
The newly-refurbished facility will include five rehearsal rooms and a small recording studio.
There is scope to develop the upstairs area into a venue in future, but that will be dependent on raising further funding.
In the meantime, funds are still needed ahead of the re-opening to equip the rehearsal rooms and buy studio equipment, so donations via the co-op’s Go Fund Me page continue to be warmly welcomed.
Music co-op director Holly Blackwell, one-half of nationally-renowned psych-punk favourites The Lovely Eggs, said: “We just can't wait to get the music co-op back up and running again.
“It's been years of constant graft to get back open, but we will never give up on this place. It means too much to too many people.
“Being in bands is important to people round here. It’s a means of escape from normal life. The music co-op keeps the alternative dream alive.
“It is a massively important part of our city and our culture. It's what makes Lancaster so unique and why the city has become known for music and art. It's important to keep the city weird.”
Fellow co-op director and Lovely Egg David Blackwell said: “We've been closed for the last six years so in the coming months we'll be working hard to bring the co-op up to speed with the modern world.
“We'll be introducing a new online booking system and are looking forward to getting the recording studio back up and running.
“The place has been completely transformed. But hopefully it will still be recognisable to many.
“We want to keep the spirit of the music co-op. That's what is important. It's about the music and our community, and we want to thank everyone who has helped get us to this point by supporting our cause.”