|
|
 |
| |
Business manager Stuart Strong with staff Amanda Dawe and Sarah Myring |
‘Great dirty rock venue’ cleans up its act with £1m refit
Top bands line up to play The Garage, relaunched tonight after three-year shutdown
IT WAS a “great dirty rock venue” which played host to Jeff Buckley, The Arctic Monkeys and The Killers before its closure three years ago.
But tonight (Friday), after months of delays and a £1million overhaul, The Garage officially reopens at Highbury Corner.
Last night, Mercury nominees Bloc Party played a sold-out pre-launch party while Peter, Bjorn and John, best known for their laid-back whistling hit Young Folks, headline tonight’s official launch.
The venue, once owned by concert promoter Live Nation, closed in 2006 because the roof needed £500,000 repairs.
Mama Group, which owns London venues Barfly, Jazz Café, The Forum and The Borderline, took the premises over in 2007 and embarked on £1million investment programme.
Initial refurbishment took longer than expected following the discovery of asbestos and wrangles with the landlord. The Rifles and Future of the Left had to cancel dates planned for this time last year.
But now, nearly 5,000 tickets have been sold for future dates, which will feature The Joy Formidable and Bombay Bicycle Club. Capacity has been increased from 550 to 800.
Mama Group’s live division director Steve Forster said refurbishment has brought to life some previously forgotten features of the venue.
“It was always known as a great dirty rock ’n’ roll venue but having been there myself I always believed it could be more,” he said. “When we were resurrecting the building we found original stained-glass windows. Upstairs was originally the Temperance Billiard Hall. We found wood panelling and tried to take it into the redesign.”
He added: “The people of Islington should get behind it because there’s something for everyone. It’s a local venue. Other London venues are being closed left, right and centre and live music is almost being wiped off the map in certain places.
“It’s gratifying to see a venue being brought back to life when places like the Astoria and Metro are being closed down.”
Mr Forster said Mama had tried to respect the building’s history, incorporating a huge domed ceiling, which follows the lines of its previous incarnation as a tram shed, and a faux proscenium arch.
The venue has more ladies toilets, a new drainage system and air conditioning. Sightlines have been cleared to give audiences a good view of the stage.
But the venue’s plans have already attracted some criticism. Lib Dem ward councillors Terry Stacy, John Gilbert and Laura Willoughby have said they will oppose a recent application for permission to put five tables outside on Holloway Road.
Their website says: “We think it is a crazy idea. The pavement is quite narrow, it is a very busy location and there is a heavily used bus stop nearby.”
But Mr Forster said: “They should look at the facts and their own guidelines. There isn’t a bus stop outside the garage because it’s been moved. The council regulations say there needs to be 1.8 metres between any pavement area and the road and there’s 4.1 metres in front of The Garage.
“This is as much for people who want to smoke as want to sit outside.” |
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
