Council pledges to support Musicians’ Co-op
Lancaster City Council has pledged to work with the city’s Musicians’ Co-op to help secure their long-term future.
On Wednesday (November 14) city councillors met to discuss the Co-op and the recent decision to issue the organisation with a notice to quit their premises on Lodge Street, which followed a structural report that raised serious concerns about the safety of the building.
Councillors voted unanimously to rescind the notice once the most urgent safety-critical concerns are completed, at least on a temporary basis, and that valid insurance is in place.
Furthermore, the council has agreed to work with the Musicians’ Co-op to formulate an action plan to help raise the funds necessary for further repairs, and pledged to offer them a long-term lease.
Should safety concerns escalate or there be any other need for the Co-op to move out of the building, Lancaster City Council will work with them to find suitable alternative premises close to the city centre on a temporary basis.
Lancaster City Council is proud of its cultural heritage, and the role the arts has played in shaping and defining the city. The council has always fought to preserve and nourish the cultural offering, and will proudly continue to passionately defend it going forward.
The Musician’s Coop has been part of the fabric of the city for more than three decades, and the council is pleased to have been able to support its work to ensure that music is open to people of all backgrounds.
Coun Eileen Blamire, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “This has been an emotionally charged situation, but I feel that something truly positive has come out of this – both for the Co-op and the future of music in Lancaster. I want to thank all those who spoke so eloquently on behalf of the Co-op and engaged with the council throughout this process.
“I am optimistic about the future and look forward to working with the Co-op to develop Lancaster’s cultural offering for generations to come.”
Last updated: 15 November 2018