The Cookes Studios Project is a partnership between Signal Film & Media's sister company Creative Studios Cumbria and Barrow Borough Council. Together we are developing a multi-million pound creative industries centre in the centre of Barrow in Furness, with phase 1 (refurbishment of the first 3 floors) projected to open by Summer 2011.

The Building

The Studios will be housed in The Cookes Building on Abbey Road in Hindpool, a Super Output Ward which is one of the most deprived in Cumbria. It is a 16,000 sqft, double fronted Victorian building which runs over 5 floors. The upper floors were most recently a furniture showroom whilst the basement was home to the Sub Zero nightclub, focus for the area?s rave culture during the late 80s/early 90s.

Phase 1 of the project will house key creative arts organizations and creative, design and digital media facilities open to local businesses and the public as well as a flexible exhibition and workshop space. Historical detail restoration on the front of the building and construction of a new roof are currently in progress, with work on the main refit due to start early in 2010.

Phase 2 of the project will provide hot desks and offices for a mix of community orientated groups and profit-making, fledgling and growing businesses. There will be a café-bar with exhibition space, performance/screening auditorium, a multimedia ICT suite, gallery and conference provisions.

Our vision is of a physical focal point that provides space for meeting, experimentation, collaboration, performance and other services that will encourage sustainable growth for companies based in a visible, town centre venue, along with specialised outreach services in and for the community, primarily focused on the creative and digital industries.

Barrow Regeneration Talented Minds & Northern Rock Foundation

Support has been secured from Barrow Regeneration and Northern Rock Foundation to develop the internal design and a sustainable business plan for the building to ensure it is developed in a way that maximizes its success and level of use by the local community and economy.

 

A project team has been assembled and research visits are being made to various landmark arts and creative venues across the UK. The team are working up plans for the building?s design themes and branding in this first year and in the second year further artists visits and initiatives will be established to ramp up to the opening.

The Team

 

Working with Creative Studios Cumbria?s Directors Kerry Kolbe and Loren Slater are Wayne Hemingway MBE, vision holder and advocate for the project; Danny Meaney of New Media Partners, strategy and business planning; and Warren Bramley of Manchester creative agency Four23, the project's design team; Architect Mike Darwell of John Coward Associates.

Last updated November 2009.

More updates to follow.