U.K. Government funds music rehearsal spaces

Here’s an interesting use of £500,000 of government money: building music rehearsal spaces in deprived areas that lack social and cultural institutions for youth.   Some key quotes:

Budding British bands are being offered the chance to pursue their musical dreams in new rehearsal spaces opened by the government.

The first has been unveiled in Knotty Ash Youth Centre in Liverpool, where The Beatles played in 1962.

Others will follow in Bristol, Norfolk, Hastings, St Austell in Cornwall and Washington in Tyne and Wear.

The scheme is being co-ordinated by former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey, who is now head of music industry body UK Music.

“The benefits stack up socially, economically and culturally – and hopefully some of those young people will pick up valuable skills and go on to work in one of our fantastic creative industries,” he said.

“The Knotty Ash facility will plug directly into Liverpool’s thriving music scene and local music business – encouraging creativity, bringing the community together and benefiting a new generation of musicians.”