I AM writing to you about the possible plight of Lancaster Musician's Co-op. I have used the co-op on a regular basis for eight years since I was 14-years-old.

I am shocked and horrified to discover the local council is considering selling the land it stands on.

The service it provides is irreplaceable, not to mention the time, effort and passion that has gone into making the co-op what it is today. I have been a member of local band Angelica for eight years, we have always rehearsed in the co-op, without them we would never have got started. There would have been no Angelica and, from a purely selfish point of view, I would never have had any of the amazing experiences I have had in my life. They gave us a foot up into the gigging scene in Lancaster (which they have done for countless other bands). Our first single was recorded at the Co-op and it was played on Radio One. The artwork for that single and several other of our releases was photographed there. It holds a lot of happy memories for us not to mention the hundreds of musicians that have passed through its door. More importantly the co-op has always been at the centre of a real community of people who support each other.  

If there's maintenance or decorating to be done, everyone mucks in; if money needs raising we all do a benefit gig (not just for the co-op but a variety of charities). If you need someone to drive you to a gig out of town or tech for you, there's a network you can consult and it's all based at the co-op.

It will destroy the brilliant local music scene if you take it away. Anyone can afford their prices, anyone can get there and every- one is welcome. I am incensed that the council are considering knocking down yet more of our city to make way for huge ugly (sorry 'modern') buildings. First they let someone build a cinema and leave it empty, then knock down the Navigation.

Why do we need retail blocks when we cant even fill all the shops in the city centre? The co- op serves all members of the community, irrespective of age, class, gender, income etc. '

It is a safe place for teenagers to go which is surely preferable to them hanging about on the streets bored out of their minds.

A cultural quarter would be brilliant, the foundation is already laid with The Dukes, The Grand and the Music Co-op in the vicinity.

Lancaster can be a vibrant city when at its best, please don't let us lose sight of that. Let's help the Musicians Co-operative to develop their facilities not bull- doze them down. The Hothouse in Morecambe is doing well with lottery funding and I am positive the co-op could provide a similar service in Lancaster for people of all walks of life. Also Lancaster is crying out for a larger live music venue. There are loads of people with their talents going unnoticed and unused while yet another chain pub goes up.

If lan, Tom and David were allowed to buy the building the opportunity to make a venue/arts centre would arise, something I think would benefit the whole of Lancaster. If I had the money I'd buy it for them.

If anyone from the council is reading this I implore you to think very carefully about that piece of land and its potential.

Brigit Colton Lancaster