Morecambe venue uncovers piece of history as it re-opens bar area and sets sights on future

Stone pillars have been uncovered at the venue - which first opened in 1901 - but only after more recent hoardings began falling off the entrance area.

Further investigation revealed a set of stone pillars that are thought to have been part of the original building design.

The Alhambra's owner Ian Bond also uncovered a tiled mosaic floor in the entrance area bearing the name 'Alhambra' on the doorstep.

It's damaged, but Ian plans to restore it.

A team of volunteers have been working diligently to reboot the club and stage area - paying particular attention to lighting and sound - and more than £100,000 has been spent on the bar area, which has huge windows overlooking Morecambe Bay.

A lot of this investment went on a brand new replica ceiling.

The 900 capacity space can be tailored to meet different needs and audiences, and the team at The Alhambra are planning to "hit the ground running" when coronavirus restrictions for live music, performances, and of course dancing, are eventually lifted.

In the meantime, the bar area will be open every Sunday between 1pm and 6pm to bring people, and hopefully some money, back into the space.

Ian, who also owns The Battery - which he's converting into 25 holiday lets, due to be fully open by the end of 2021 - said he was extremely happy to find the stone pillars.

"We were so lucky that some of the hoardings were coming off," he said.

"We had a good look and thought 'they look like pillars'.

"We took the double doors out and some of the modern stonework and there they were!

"I didn't have a clue they were there.

"There was a fire in 1970 and at that time they were just covered up. For me and my love of old buildings it was just like 'Oh my God'."

Ian says he "has a habit of buying Victorian buildings" with a view to restoring them.

He also recently bought the former Trinity Methodist Church in West Street, with plans for that soon to be revealed.

The Alhambra has hosted several large events since 2016, including Morecambe Punk Festival, steam punk festival A Splendid Day Out and goth club night Corrosion.

Morecambe Fringe launched there in 2017 and Hawkwind’s space rock festival Hawkeaster took over the entire venue in 2018.

Corrosion - run by Alhambra volunteer and lighting engineer Alex Wetton, from Morecambe, is aiming to return as a full weekend festival next March, alongside comedy nights and tribute acts that have also been booked in.

But this all depends on how long the coronavirus restrictions last.

The Morecambe Alhambra Theatre Trust was set up in April 2019 to manage the building and events.

It has three co-directors - Nick Awde, Fiona Wetton, and Claire Cozler - who effectively manage the building, from sweeping the floors to legal and administration.

The Trust aims to gain charitable status so it can start to apply for more funding.

Nick Awde said: "We were ready to launch in March and our first event coincided with lockdown, which was unfortunate.

"The aim is to create a big grass roots music, arts and cultural centre that can be a hub for the whole of North Lancashire and South Cumbria.

"We're all volunteers, so it means we've got a good chance of coming out of this pandemic with a major cultural asset.

"We've got nothing to lose.

"We're in a good position and the people we have on board now are fully committed, and we're thrilled to have Darryl Thorpe on board as our sound engineer.

"The professional level of everyone now involved is high."

Nick said the Alhambra has been taking advice from The Music Venues Trust, which has been representing music venues with government and councils.

"We've got national connections and we're part of the national narrative," Nick said.

"Subject to the madness of the ever changing regulations, we're aiming to hit the ground running, and we're absolutely ready for that.

"We need to be open to make money, and it means we can open up for bands that want to rehearse, charity benefit gigs, and community events."

Ian added: "Hopefully we've shown our commitment and I'd love to think at some point we could get some funding to sort the roof out.

"The whole team now is geared up for opening and it's never had a better chance of being successful."