Music to our ears

There are no current plans to sell the Musicians' Co-op say council chiefs  

THE future of Lancaster's threatened Musician's Co-op looks more certain following vocal public protest. The City Council has issued a statement saying that it currently has no plans to sell the Co-op's Lodge Street building.

The local authority has also said that it will always seek to create provision for organisations like the Co-op, which provides a valuable cultural service.

Construction firm Chelverton has been in discussion with the council with plans to develop a supermarket and retail units in the Edward Street/Lodge area. There were concerns that the Co-op building would be sold in any land deal.

But Chelverton's plans clash with the local plan and a council development brief, which says the area would make an excellent 'cultural quarter' for the city.

The council says it will always consider interest from outside developers but the statement will be widely seen as a safe-guard for the Co-op. A recommendation has been put to the cabinet that the building should not be considered for sale at this time.

The council's statement of support has been cautiously welcomed by the Musician's Co-op. The statement says: "Following recent press coverage regarding the future of the Musician's Co-op, Lancaster City Council has written to the organisation to clarify the current situation regarding the building. The city council recognises the valuable contribution the Musician's Co-op has made to the area's cultural scene and its Head of Property Services has already recommended, via Cabinet, that the premises should not he considered for disposal at this point in time.'

 'However, as a major landowner in the area the Council needs to consider all aspects of future developments, should they be deemed to be in the interests of the district and the public interest in general. Should this ever happen the Council is keen that provision be made to enable use by organisations which have a wider community and cultural benefit to continue.    This would include the Musician's Co-op.'

 A spokesman for the Co-op. said: "We welcome the council's acknowledgement of the valuable contribution we make the district's cultural scene: We've received lots of public support, which has been fantastic, and we are working towards improving the services at our current location.'