Member Article

Leading Blues venue back – better than ever

Burnley’s premier venue for live entertainment has undergone a major refurbishment – completed in just over four weeks.

Using the theme ‘Home’, the Mechanics Theatre has created a ‘home from home’, including a new stylish Lounge bar and new Basement studio.

The Burnley Mechanics enjoys a nationwide reputation as a live music venue – especially for Blues and R and B.

The Front Room, an additional performance space which is funded separately will open in January 2015. The £140,000 project was funded from a number of sources including Burnley Council, Burnley Leisure, Carlsberg UK and Wall’s ice cream, which installed a Ben & Jerry’s parlour on the first floor.

With support from Carlsberg UK, the theatre’s foyer has been transformed into a lounge bar which houses 20 different types of gin and four different tonics, making it the largest gin stock in the area.

It also has a wide selection of local beers, loose teas and non-alcoholic drinks to suit every taste. The Basement studio, previously an art gallery, will be used by KLF dance and theatre school. In addition, members of the public will be able to rent the studio to host various community events and activities.

Burnley Council’s executive member for leisure and culture Councillor Bea Foster said: “As part of the Council’s agreement in establishing Burnley Leisure, Burnley Council committed to ensuring that the facilities operated by the Trust are well-maintained and fit for purpose.

“This included an £85,000 contribution which was approved as part of the Council’s wider Capital programme in April 2014.

“I would encourage people to visit and see for themselves how good the improvements are.”

People are invited to come to the Mechanics’ official open day event on Thursday, 11th September and see how the theatre has transformed.

Burnley Leisure chief executive Gerard Vinton said: “The Mechanics much needed facelift has been scheduled for some time now and we’re very fortunate that additional funds and grants came in from external partners allowing us to extend the scope of the works.

“We’re very pleased to complete the majority of refurbishment in such short time during the summer when theatre is closed to the public. I’d like to encourage everyone to come and see how the Mechanics looks like now.”

The Mechanics will also be hosting the third CAMRA Burnley Beer Festival on 4-6th September featuring more than 80 top quality ales from across the country. More information about the event can be found on the festival’s official website www.burnleybeerfestival.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .