'Tears of joy' as under-threat music studio is saved

Lancashire musicians have said they are "chuffed to bits" to hear a much-loved music studio will re-open after being closed for six years.

Lancaster Music Co-op's building on Lodge Street was forced to close in 2021 after it was was declared unsafe.

This week they got the final £100,000 needed to finish refurbishments so the venue can re-open next year.

Matt Sheffield, from the Alsatian Eyes band, said the four-piece post-punk outfit's "tears of glum fear have been replaced by tears of joy" at the news.

"The work the good dudes from the Co-op do for music enables new artists to have a chance at fulfilling their dreams," the bassist and writer said.

"The Co-op gave us a chance when it was so hard to get the size and scope of exposure that they could mediate and we have gone from strength to strength as a result of their input, support and genuine love.

"Playing the Lancaster Music Co-op showcase was the absolute highlight of our performing careers so far."

Alsatian Eyes formed last year around the Lancaster open mic scene, and Matt said they "probably wouldn't have continued without the opportunities and support" from the studio.

"There are so many bands and artists that would not exist without the Co-op's unwavering dedication to the scene and their genuine belief in music and people," he said.

"It was the securing of a performance at their showcase night at The Pub in Lancaster that drove us to continue and secure performances all around the UK.

"The new facilities will allow us to record more music, affordably, and push our music to the next level."

The Co-op was founded in 1985 with the likes of Maximo Park drummer Tom English, former James keyboard player Mark Hunter and The Prodigy playing there.

A wide range of musicians have used the facilities to rehearse and record since it was started when a group of students at Lancaster University who were unable to find anywhere to practice opened up their studios.

The newly-refurbished studio - expected to open in June 2027 - will include five rehearsal rooms and a small recording studio, with scope to develop the upstairs area, dependent on raising further funding.

Jack Taylor, from Morton Betts, said it was "fantastic" to hear about the re-opening "especially after the incredible work of the volunteers who have tirelessly grafted to get it back up and running".

"Being in a band means so much in a place like Lancaster," he said.

"There's a lot to worry about in the world, but there's an unrelenting charm in our local music scene that transcends these issues to create a space where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together and feel a part of something.

"The music scene in Lancaster packs a punch for the size of the city, and providing the facilities and support to help more up-and-coming bands get off the ground can only be a good thing.

"Being in a local band comes with enough sacrifices, and the Co-op helps provide the spark that keeps the dream real for so many of us."

Holly Blackwell said she is "chuffed to bits" the funding has been secured and it can re-open.

Holly and her husband David Blackwell are both in the psych-punk band The Lovely Eggs, and are also the studio's co-directors.

She said there were points where "we never thought it would be possible" to re-open, "it was just too much of an uphill struggle".

"We're just interested in making great music out of that building," she said.

"It's almost unimaginable what a difference it's going to make to people round here."

Holly said she started playing at the co-op when she was 15 and "me and all my friends were at school and we wanted to form a band".

"None of us had a big house, none of us had a garage to record in or rehearse in and we heard about this place, the music co-op behind the Grand Theatre in Lancaster," she said.

"We went down there and started dossing about and I'm still in a band which is crazy.

"This places takes people and it transforms their lives."

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