Musicians unveil plans to let Phoenix Arts Centre play on

By gpeplow gemma peplow

Musicians have revealed details of plans to help get more young people interested in music in their bid to save the former Phoenix Arts Centre.

The venue, in Upper Brown Street, is to be replaced by the £21m Phoenix Square film and digital media centre in the city's Cultural Quarter in November.

Musicians who used the Phoenix are among three applicants who have applied to lease the original building on a five-year-agreement.

Headed by Save The Phoenix campaigner Julian Wright, they have joined forces with social enterprise Stride to offer a social programme should their bid be successful.

Julian said: "Stride is a social enterprise that trains young people. Money from that would help pay the costs for the theatre, meaning we could keep admission down to a very small amount."

Julian said they were hoping to involve schools and young people.

"First of all, we would want to get schools visiting the theatre to talk with bands and music groups to find out about the music world," he said.

"We'd also like to have an outreach service, with musicians maybe going out to play in assemblies.

"We'd also love to give music tuition and also have an instrument lending library."

Other plans include morning disco events for under-16s and for people with learning disabilities.

Groups interested in taking over the centre were asked by the city council to submit bids in the summer.

Earlier this week, Darren Nockles, Andy Wright, Ian Baker and Pete Groschl, of the Leicester Union of Music Promoters, unveiled their own plans for the venue should their joint application with Leicester College be successful.

Former Charlotte manager Andy, who is now working on Lock 42, a new gig venue and rehearsal studio in Frog Island, said he wanted to stay as true the original Phoenix as possible.

"We'd be working with Leicester College to put on live music and various different events, comedy as well," he added.

The third bidder is yet to be revealed.

Andy said should their application be successful, the Leicester Union of Music Promoters would be invited to help organise events.

He said: "They would be welcome to come along and use the place, as would Leicester College."

Council bosses say a decision will be made by November 6.

A spokesman said: "We are still reviewing the submissions at the moment.

"There are still a number of weeks before the Leicester Arts Centre vacate the old Phoenix at the end of November."