I AM writing to you about the possible plight of Lancaster Musicians 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 1. The artwork for that single and several other of our releases were 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 like the local Marie Curie Centre, Mal Hussein, Fighting Racism etc).

If you need someone to drive you to a gig out of town there's a net-work 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 everyone is welcome.

I am, in fact, 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 then leave  it empty, then they knock down the Navigation. And why do we need retail blocks when we can't 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. Why sacrifice our youth's imagination and creativity to encourage this culture of endless and pointless spending to 'make ourselves feel good'?

A cultural quarter would be brilliant, the foundation is already laid with The Dukes, The Grand Theatre and the Music Co-op in the vicinity Lancaster can be a vibrant city when it's at its best, please don't let us lose sight of that. Let's help the Musicians Co-operative to develop their facilities not bulldoze 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 venue than the Yorkshire House. Don't get me wrong The Yorkie is brilliant but its just not big enough to encourage nationally successful bands, DJs and performers to come to Lancaster. The Platform is in Morecambe and let's face it our public transport is far too expensive, and quite frankly rubbish. The Sugarhouse is exclusively for students.

There are loads of people with their talents going unnoticed and unused whilst yet another chain pub goes up. If lan, Tom or David were allowed to buy the building the opportunity to make a venue and 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 think very carefully about that piece of land and its potential.

 Brigit Colton Lancaster