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Council loan gives “national icon” lift off
A £50,000 loan
to Parr Street studios means that the refurbishment of the world
famous complex can now be completed. It signals the end of a
remarkable turn around in the fortunes of the internationally-
renowned studios, which houses three recording studios, 14 offices,
a bar and now a 12 room 4 star hotel.
The loan has been awarded as part of the City Council’s Financial
Assistance to Business programme and designed to help create jobs
and assist the creative economy. The complex was sold to Gary
Millar, Steve McFarlane and Tom Lang at the end of July 2006
following a long running campaign to prevent it being turned into
flats and offices.
Cllr Flo Clucas, executive member for economic development and
Europe said:- “We were conscious that the whole council was
behind the survival of this national icon. The help we have given,
and the loan, will see a growth in jobs, new businesses, and in
Liverpool staying at the top of the international music scene.”
Gary Millar, 1 of the 3 owners of the Parr Street complex and who
designed the hotel, said:- “There was a gap in our funding
that needed filling and without this money we wouldn’t be able to
make the alterations we feel necessary when we want to.
Now we
can refurbish the lift to the hotel, add the required disabled
access and ensure we have an excellent security system in place...
Liverpool City Council, through BusinessLiverpool have given us
wonderful support from the word go and now we can move ahead and
create a thriving area for creative industries.”
Already the complex is home to nine new tenants including a film
production company, graphic designers and a PR and marketing
operation.
Gary Millar added:- “Parr Street is not just about big names
and big acts, it’s also about nurturing local and undiscovered
talent. The creative economy is very important to the city and
it is a community that supports each other and as we approach the
capital of culture year it was important that this icon was not only
saved but up and running again.”
Some of the most famous names in music have recorded at the studios
from Echo and the Bunnymen to Coldplay from The Coral to Snow
Patrol. Most recently award-winning singer-songwriter Paulo Nutini
was working there on his new material.
Mike Taylor, chief executive of BusinessLiverpool, said:-
“Business Liverpool has been working with the tenants of Parr Street
studios since early 2006 when the threat to the future of the
building became apparent. We also worked with Gary Millar and
his partners to secure the deal to acquire the building and we are
very happy to provide this further support to enable additional
accommodation to become available which is suitable for start up
businesses.” |
Exhibition honours young carers
HEROIC
children and young people who dedicate their lives to looking after
family members are being honoured in a new exhibition.
Liverpool City Council and Barnardo’s are teaming-up to launch the ‘Every
Young Carer Matters’ exhibition at Central Library on Monday 5
March 2007.
It is estimated that there are as many as 2,000 children and young
people in Liverpool caring for another family member, usually an
adult, who has a physical illness or disability; mental ill health;
sensory disability or drug and alcohol dependency. The
exhibition aims to raise awareness with the public, schools and
other professionals about the difficulties faced by young carers.
Liverpool City Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services,
Councillor Paul Clein, said:- “It’s vital that we do all we
can to support young carers and their families, and this exhibition
will help educate schools and the community about the issues they
face. There are around 2,000 young carers in Liverpool, and as
many as 40,000 nationwide. Young people who care for older family
members have huge responsibilities placed on their shoulders. They
carry out a level of care which would usually only be expected of an
adult - and this has a massive impact on their childhood years.”
‘Every Young Carer Matters’ features images from acclaimed
South African photographer Michelle Sank. Over the past five years,
Michelle has worked with youngsters in Liverpool and throughout the
UK to create a series of powerful portraits capturing the
experiences of young carers. The photographs are accompanied
by words and illustrations from young carers themselves, which have
been collated by Barnardo’s.
The exhibition is the latest part of the partnership work between
the city council and Barnardo’s to improve life for young carers.
Barnardo’s is commissioned by the council to run a number of schemes
which offer support to young carers and their families. They include
‘Action With Young Carers’ and ‘Keeping the Family in Mind’. Barnardo’s also carries out research, undertakes therapeutic work
and organises social and leisure activities to help young carers
relax. In addition, Barnardo’s delivers training to professionals
who work with young carers.
Liz Gray, Manager for Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers said:-
“Young carers are forced to be grown ups. They have huge
responsibilities that most adults never have to face, they often
have to administer medicines, bath parents, pay bills and be
responsible for shopping for the family as well as looking after
younger brothers and sisters. Without support, they can miss out on
childhood altogether. We are very pleased to be involved in
this exhibition to highlight this issue in a bid to ensure that
young carers do not go unidentified and unsupported in their caring
responsibilities and to ensure that they still enjoy their
childhood.”
‘Every Young Carer Matters’ takes place at Liverpool Central
Library from 5 March 2007 to 13 April 2007. The city council and Barnardo’s
hope to encourage all schools who visit the exhibition to carry out
follow-up work in the classroom on the journey and experiences of
young carers. |
