Birkenhead Venue Future Yard Launches Build Our Future Crowdfunder to Support Expansion
Birkenhead live music venue Future Yard will launch a new crowdfunder this month to support the venue’s expansion and strengthen its future.
BUILD OUR FUTURE will support the construction of a 600-capacity indoor venue on the Future Yard site, alongside 12 flexible studio spaces.
Future Yard has already secured 97% of the £3m project, which will begin this Spring.
The campaign is looking to raise £150k, of which 50% will support construction costs and 50% will support Future Yard’s Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme.
Craig Pennington, Future Yard CIC Director and co-founder, said:
“We are launching this crowdfunder at a moment when we’re aware of the pressures on live music venues and on music education.
“With support from Wirral Council and Arts Council England, we are almost there; this just helps us to get over the line.
“Living in this part of the world, you are always very aware of the legacy of access to music, and the importance of learning from a young age what music and being a musician can do.
“There is a democratic thread to music which should allow access to music education for every child.
“When we opened Future Yard, we were committed to being more than a live music venue but also being a place that puts opportunity at the heart of our programme.
“BUILD OUR FUTURE doesn’t only secure the future of Future Yard, it preserves the work we have done to maintain a commitment to music education in Wirral.”
Sustainable Growth for Grassroots Music
Since opening during the pandemic, Future Yard has hosted almost 900 shows, welcoming 120,000 music lovers to Birkenhead.
The expanded venue will allow for higher-profile acts, providing a more sustainable financial footing while reducing risks associated with open-air weather factors and noise limitations.
Christopher Torpey, Director of Audiences at Future Yard, said:
“Future Yard’s work to date has been nothing short of phenomenal, but to secure the future, this project is vital.
“By conservative forecasts, the new venue will increase audiences by 30% in the first year of operation, rising to 50% by year three and doubling by year five.
“This will, in turn, result in increased financial performance and long-term security.
“With just 50 more shows a year, we will attract more established, higher profile artists, but we also predict the new venue will allow for an additional 2000 hours of practical experience for our Sound Check trainees, on larger, more complex shows.
“3500 children are accessing our new school’s music curriculum on site.
“120 children accessing lessons & band clubs, a 50% increase in capacity for our Mosh Tots shows and 100% increase in Neighbourhood Tickets, with 2000 distributed in the first full year of operation.”
Community and Career Development
Jayne Clough, Board Member at Future Yard CIC, said:
“Growing up in Birkenhead as a music fan, I would have loved having a venue like Future Yard on my doorstep.
“Since opening, there’s been so many incredible acts and unforgettable nights. It’s lifted the town, inspired the community, provided jobs, nurtured creativity and firmly put Birkenhead on the musical map. Wherever I go, people talk about Future Yard.
“But success brings a challenge, keeping it sustainable.
“We hear about beloved venues closing all the time, and so what we are trying to do is future-proof Future Yard. If you care about music and your community, please back the crowdfunder if you can.”
The BUILD OUR FUTURE Crowdfunder launches on 27th February, with a fundraising concert, 48 Hour Party People, running from 6th to 8th March.
