The Forum Music Centre

Capital Investment Plans

We’re excited to unveil our Phase 1 plans for the future of The Forum Music Studios, these include;

STANDALONE ECO SENSORY RECORDING STUDIO
EDUCATION SPACE
DEDICATED ARTIST FACILITIES
IMPROVED KITCHEN
ACCESSIBLE VIEWING PLATFORM
REFRESH OF PUBLIC SPACES
ROOF GARDEN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE

1. STANDALONE ECO SENSORY RECORDING STUDIO
Replace the current recording studio with a new build to the rear of the building as a stand-alone, soundproofed, high spec digital recording studio with 24/7 easy access. Accommodating a large, first-floor space with staircase and lift to give easy, safe access for users and equipment including mobility aids the studio is designed with innovative eco-friendly, carbon net zero materials such as recycled denim and powered by solar the studio. This new eco studio will lead onto a living roof garden which will be created to enhance our environment and create a calm space for all to enjoy.
2. The current studio will become a dedicated Education Space to house our 10 Apple Macs. These will be hard wired to the main studio giving the ability to mix and produce music independently or as a collaborative production projects and also serving as vocational learning environment for music production training and workshops.

OBJECTIVE – The current studio is a small space off a busy thoroughfare corridor between the main performance hall and rear entry and exit with noise restricting quality and access. With a greatly enhanced, visually inspiring, larger facility we will open opportunities to offer residencies for independent producers and bands looking for an alternative ‘out of the city’ recording experience. Giving the current restrictions of use this isn’t possible however with the proposed new studio with 24/7 access this would be possible to share studio time with other producers and engineers.

OUTCOME – To create a net zero studio that is unique to this region. Enable us to engage with bands & ensembles. Enhance and improve artistic experience. Introduce new partnerships with independent producers. Improve/extend opportunities in vocational digital music production training for educational institutions, groups, and individuals.

A SENSORY EXPERIENCE
To enhance creativity, the recording studio & production suite will incorporate aesthetically, high-tech sensory elements including mood lighting, LED landscape backgrounds such as a skyscape along with oxygenating plants to create an interactive space with the ability to adapt to the artist or individual’s emotional need.

OBJECTIVE – Creation of a space that is unique and adaptable to the individual artist needs, synching with the energy of the music they are creating. Along with the environmental responsible build this will be a unique offer for this region and will make a significant and positive impact in creating a dynamic and sustainable cultural offer.

Plans of the new studio layout

3. DEDICATED ARTIST FACILITIES
Create a dedicated ground floor level, artist green room facility with private kitchen and washroom, along with easy stage and main building access plus loading / parking area with power for touring vehicles and secure storage for visiting artists and band equipment.

OBJECTIVE – Public washroom facilities are currently located within the bar area, which on gigs nights can be extremely busy creating a difficult navigation route for performing bands and artists, this can be an issue when trying to attract higher profile artists. Artists such as Hazel O Connor and Stereo MCs have been extremely positive and have praised the Forum for a high-quality artist and stage experience, but the lack of private facilities has a negative impact in returning. Providing these facilities within the ground floor studio space that can be openly linked or locked from the main building will provide a solution for performing plus recording artists and music producers.

OUTCOME – Improve artist experience, ability to attract higher profile, touring artists to help diversify our live music & events schedule. Give renewed confidence to staff, promotors, & local community to promote our high-quality venue as a desirable performance destination.

4. KITCHEN EXTENSION AND REFURBISHMENT
Rebuild extend & redesign galley kitchen as a high-quality workable environment to accommodate a local, ethical food entrepreneur.

OBJECTIVE – The extended and improved kitchen will increase the occasional catering service to accommodate a new permanent space for a daily food service. This will create a new partnership opportunity for a like-minded social enterprise. Under the requisite terms such as providing training opportunities and adopting a healthy and creative food offer that is eco-friendly and meets the needs of all dietary requirements and affordability.

Users at our venue can often be here for several hours therefore having a daily food offer would be a great addition and it scored highly on the wish list during the public consultation process. We are currently in talks with local, not for profit, food social entrepreneurs to explore opportunities and business partnership potentials to develop a healthy and creative food offer that combines vocational learning and work experience opportunities can thrive.

OUTCOME – Introduce daily food service to improve visitor & beneficiary experience. Increase footfall, revenue, partnerships & employment opportunities.

• New Kitchen Extension Plans

5. ACCESSIBLE VIEWING PLATFORM
Install and erect a mezzanine towards the back of the main auditorium that is accessible via the lift to the first-floor roof garden or internal staircase for those requiring seating or less crowded space. Purchase new technologies to improve audience experience of those with hearing impairments including Vibrotactile Shakers and Infrared hearing loops.

OBJECTIVE – Majority of our gigs are standing to accommodate our 200 – capacity. Wheelchair users currently do not have a designated space therefore staff make sure they have visual position at the front of the auditorium. This is not ideal for many as the level of sound is too loud, further back and they lose sight of stage as people standing in front of them. We currently live stream the stage to the bar area for people who feel uncomfortable within crowded main area. Having the mezzanine will ensure ALL have a great viewpoint and a safe space to enjoy and partake in the live music experience and the mezzanine will increase capacity rather than reducing it.

OUTCOME – Adapting spaces and adopting new technologies to ensure audiences including those with audio, visual and mobility needs have access to the same high-quality level of experience at our venue.

*Image for illustrative purposes*

6. REFRESH OF PUBLIC SPACES
After some years of wear and tear our public spaces will be refreshed, including replastering and repainting of our rehearsal rooms, corridors and the main hall.

OBJECTIVE – To improve the look and feel of our rehearsal spaces, bar, corridors and main hall.

OUTCOME – The spaces will feel new and comfortable for our guests.

7. ROOF GARDEN
Develop a living roof garden incorporating plants and wildflowers will be created over the flat roof. The current unused and unattractive space will lead from the first-floor studio will provide an eco-friendly zen and creative space, accessible for all via a staircase or lift.

OBJECTIVE – To offer a diverse environment that gives an alternative ambience to the inside, to attract more people in the summer months.

OUTCOME – New outside space to give opportunity for alternative performances producing low noise and calming music, sensory and zen experiences such as meditation and calm reflection. Increase audiences and visitors and strengthen our diverse cultural offer and the future sustainability of our GMV.

8. ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE – WORKING TOWARDS A CARBON NET ZERO GRASSROOTS MUSIC VENUE
Install Solar Panels, battery storage, heat source pump, & repair / insulate / renew parts of roof.

OBJECTIVE – Through consultation with a specialist solar power company UCS Renewables we have identified roof space perfectly positioned for the installation of solar panels as well as utilising derelict cellar space to store battery power packs and a heat source pump. The Solar PV technology will allow us to harness the power of the sun even on a cloudy day. The original 1879 roof will be renewed along with added insulation to help secure the building for the future and to preserve heat loss.

OUTCOME – secure the building for the future, reduce utility costs, increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprint, contributing to the local and national efforts in reducing carbon emissions.

Phase 2

We’re excited to unveil our Phase 2 plans which we hope to achieve after our main capital investment, these include;

NEW ENTRANCE
NEW TOILET BLOCK

1. NEW ENTRANCE
Introduce a newly located entrance that is welcoming & easily accessible whilst enhancing the external aspect of the building.

OBJECTIVE – The main entrance is to be relocated to improve visibility and for operational benefit. Situated in the 0.25% poorest ward nationally with the highest crime rate in Darlington the building designs will improve the external aspect of the building, aiding in the regeneration of the area, and complementing the neighbouring nursery school, theatre Hullaballoo and Hippodrome Theatre. Automatic doors are proposed to an existing opening for use during normal, daytime operating hours, improving ease of access and replacing the current restrictive buzzer entry system, creating an inviting and welcoming environment. Security will be improved as the current entrance cannot be directly viewed by staff. During busy performance ticketed events, the current entrance can act as an alternate entrance where box office/ticket and queue management is required.
Care and attention will be given to the external aspect to ensure the building is not only attractive to those inside, but also residents and passers-by to help gain a sense of pride of place and welcome entrance to engage in our services.

OUTCOME – Increase footfall, engagement in services, improve visitor experience & aid in regeneration of this area.

OUTCOME – To attract a wider demographic user base enabling the participant to become immersive in creative energy to encourage productivity. To introduce well-being and mindfulness experiences for new and existing beneficiaries and an inspiring environment for learning.

New Front Entrance Concept

2. NEW TOILET BLOCK
Relocate the toilet block to a larger space to increase the number of the facilities as well as change them to single occupancy bathrooms.

OBJECTIVE – Our current toilets have limited capacity are are in need of being refreshed, we are proposing to relocated them to where the current education space is to give us the space to build 11 single occupancy bathrooms as well as a accessible bathroom and a family bathroom.

OUTCOME – Improved facilities for all our customers.