Deliver a new live music venue with co-located rehearsal and education space
Why is it needed?
Compared to other regional, national and international cities, London lacks large conference and exhibition spaces. Designing a versatile venue accommodating various event formats and sizes is vital for the city's long-term sustainability as a cultural attractor. Ealing has an opportunity to provide this.
A multi-purpose venue with different-sized rooms can cater to diverse events, from community gatherings to high-profile live performances, rehearsal studios, exhibitions, photoshoots, and corporate functions. This approach would maximise revenue by offering private hire options on lower-demand days while supporting grassroots community projects on other occasions.
For example, the venue could incorporate two studios (rehearsal and recording) and a gallery space for local and touring exhibitions. Building sufficient facilities such as rest rooms, bars, lounge areas, and space for medical teams could help ensure that audiences are contained within the premises, preventing antisocial behaviour in the venue's vicinity.
Next steps
Key first moves include:
–Determine a viable site(s) for a new music venue
–Commission a feasibility study to assess a viable business model(s) for a new music venue or live music performance infrastructure in Ealing: Understanding and assessing the different operational and financial models that may be owned by LBE for a new music venue or outdoor music infrastructure.
–Enlist support to procure a suitable partner or operator. LBE will require an experienced operational partner to successfully launch and manage the music venue or infrastructure on their behalf.
Alignment with guiding principles
1. Create a network of cultural venues and facilities that are easy to reach, affordable and accessible for local people.
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2. Encourage bottom up, grass-roots cultural activities that address hyper-local needs.
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3. Adapt industrial, empty or under-used spaces and buildings for cultural uses, including artists' studios, pop-up shops, exhibition venues and cultural event locations.
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4. Utilise the existing and
developing transportation
network to connect Ealing with
West London and beyond.
5. Embrace digital transformation to build a more inclusive and innovative cultural sector.