£425,000 Lancaster Music Co-op renovation set to start in October 2020

The venue will undergo a major refurbishment but is unlikely to re-open for rehearsals until after the work is completed due to Covid-19 safety issues.
Lancaster Music Co-op.Lancaster Music Co-op.
Lancaster Music Co-op.

The work is expected to take a few months, and the Lodge Street venue will need to close completely to allow the repairs to take place.

It is expecting to re-open in early 2021.

Lancaster City Council pledged to replace the building's roof, repair other parts of the building, and provide the Co-op with a proper lease in November 2018.The lease will allow the organisation to apply for funding to redevelop the interior of the space with new rehearsal rooms.

Lancaster Music Co-op director David Blackwell in the roof space of the building.Lancaster Music Co-op director David Blackwell in the roof space of the building.
Lancaster Music Co-op director David Blackwell in the roof space of the building.
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In a newsletter released this week, Lancaster Music Co-op said that part of the building would have to be demolished, which it said it was not happy about as it would have a big impact on its development plans.

It said: "Since our last newsletter in November the world has changed in a way none of us could have imagined.

"Obviously the global pandemic has had a huge impact on live music with venues on the brink of collapse, cancelled gigs and the almost impossible task of even meeting up with our band mates for our weekly fix of noise and laughs.

"It’s grim and it might never be quite the same again.

"We’ve had several meetings over the past couple of months and talked at length about how we can open safely, but unfortunately we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s not possible to make the Music Co-op Covid safe in its current state because of ventilation, hygiene, toilet facilities and the ongoing deterioration of the building due to water ingress.

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"We are looking into the possibility of finding a local space to run a reduced service during this time and we’ll let you know if anything comes up."

It goes on to say: "Unfortunately the rear part of the building which housed “Room 3” (until we had to close it in 2015 for safety reasons) is going to be demolished.

"We aren’t very happy about this, but planning, negotiations and decisions have taken place about the demolition without any discussion with the Music Co-op and largely without our knowledge.

"We have been told that the cost makes repair unfeasible, but another factor is that the Grand Theatre have been planning some redevelopment since 2008 which they insist involves demolishing that section of our building!

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"Losing the rear building has a big impact on our own development plans as it’s quite a large space over two floors and houses one of the stairwells to the first floor, which we’re hoping to use as an area accessible to the public.

"So it means we have to rethink our designs and most likely split up the fantastic roof space to incorporate some more rehearsal rooms.

"However we still have some great ideas in the pipeline to build fully soundproofed, state-of-the-art rehearsal spaces (which could be made Covid safe for the future) and a multi-function large space to rehearse, record and perform, plus a refreshment and chill out area.

"We should ultimately have 7 or 8 rehearsal spaces of various sizes."

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The Co-op said it is now working on a business plan which includes floor plans, costings and details of its future direction so that it can apply for funding.

A spokesperson said: "Once we’re allowed back into the building early next year there will be an intensive period of six months when we’ll hopefully start a phased rebuilding process on the ground floor.

"During this time we hope that we can reopen in a reduced capacity.

"Once the work on the ground floor is completed we will develop the first floor which has been closed to users for many years.

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"This may incorporate another two or three small rehearsal rooms, a refreshment area and a large space which can be used for performance, rehearsals, recording, workshops etc.

"There will be some changes to our operation taking place over the coming months.

"For one, our governance structure needs to change as we all appreciate. We’re looking into the most appropriate structure, but it will undoubtedly involve more people with a variety of skills and roles.

"The future lease which is being developed will have a yearly rent of over £50k.

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"However it is likely that the council could subsidise this to some extent, but that would involve us taking more of a role in the community with workshops, event management, working with vulnerable groups etc and, more to the point, planning and documenting these activities to provide evidence of our value.

"The Music Co-op is all about grass roots and peoples’ freedom to develop their music and express themselves in their own way and we will always maintain those core values.

"At the same time we welcome the idea of expanding our range of activities and users and look forward to the Music Co-op being a vibrant, diverse musical hub in constant use seven days a week.

"We’re working on ideas to host some activities while the building is closed due to Covid and Council building work, some online and some socially distanced, thoughts include an online event with a chance for bands to play live, music and sound workshops etc.

"We also welcome any ideas from our users so keep in touch and watch this space."