Volunteers pursuing their dream of re-opening a community music facility in Lancaster have described an attack by vandals as a ‘kick in the teeth’.
The renovated Lancaster Music Co-op building on Lodge Street suffered extensive damage to its new roof and other parts of the exterior including windows. Entry was also gained to the building.
The co-op was forced to close eight years ago after being issued with an eviction notice by Lancaster City Council.
But its plans to re-open a revamped rehearsal facility, recording studio and music space have made considerable progress over the last couple of years.
They have been supported by a major community fundraising drive and £1.2m in grant funding from the government’s Community Ownership Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Lancaster’s High Street Heritage Action Zone and Lancaster City Council.
Co-op director Holly Blackwell, one half of nationally renowned local psych-punk duo The Lovely Eggs, said: “We're absolutely gutted about the break-in and damage. It's just completely pointless.
“It feels like a real kick in the teeth to us and all the volunteers working hard to get Lancaster Music Co-op back up and running.
“We're still struggling to raise the last £100,000 worth of funding and now this. It just feels like kicking us when we're down.
“This has already been a massive struggle for us. It's taken us eight years to get where we are and just when we have the finish line in sight, we're back to square one with a damaged roof again.
“Duckett’s the contractors have done an amazing job with all the repairs so far and our volunteers have had their foot to the floor working on plans to re-open to the community.
“This exactly what we don't need right now. What we need is a home round here that bands and musicians can call their own.
“But unfortunately, whoever's done this has landed us with a shedload more work and cost.
“We ask the community to help us protect this space by reporting any unsafe or unauthorised activity around the building."
Holly added that the co-op team was now working with the contractors to assess the full extent of the damage and ensure repairs are carried out as quickly as possible.
She added: “We need to get the place back open. We've not given in before and we won't give in now. We're doing this for bands and musicians across Lancaster.
‘’They need spaces like this. We want other bands to have access to the same opportunities we had when we were growing up and we won't stop till that happens. This city needs rock and roll."
The attack, which is believed to have happened between 3.30am and 4.40am on Sunday morning, (June 28) has been reported to the police, and the co-op team are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The co-op has been undergoing a major renovation after being granted a long-term lease by city council following a community campaign and support from city councillors.
Funding is still needed to allow heating, air conditioning, a full electricity supply and lighting to be installed, flooring put in, and the public areas and office completed.
You can donate to the fundraising campaign here. Co-opilation Vol #1, a compilation of tracks donated by artists who have used and supported the co-op over the years is available to download at https://lancastermusiccoop.bandcamp.com/ on a ‘pay what you feel’ basis with a suggested donation of £5.
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