New performance and exhibition centre opens in Stafford
A new performance and exhibition space has opened in a former charity shop in Stafford town centre.
The Space Station has opened in the shop, in Princes Street, offers a performance area, exhibition space and workshop area for artists to display their work and inspire others to get creative.
The venue opened on Monday just days after Stafford Borough Council’s planning officers backed the plans for 12 months.
The community arts space plans have been a number of years in the making however, and volunteers have been working to convert it since being handed the keys in the autumn.
Volunteers were on hand on Monday to receive artwork for display and there was also an opportunity to hear an ambient soundscape by Jon Watkiss.
He said: “We’re interested in anything creative in Stafford and we want to map it.
"The rest of the venue is space for hire, as cheap as we can charge, while keeping it sustainable, for anybody who is doing a community activity, workshop, or creating anything.
“We found out about the permission through the planning portal on Friday and it was a relief.
"The planning permission is for a 12 month change of use and this is a pilot scheme – if people love it we will get a grant and move somewhere bigger.”
Fellow volunteer Lisa Johnston said: “We’re really excited about getting started. We wanted a nice creative community space for people to come inside instead of being sat at home.
“People can link up with one another on a project information board. And as we get more volunteers we will be open more often.”
The temporary planning permission follows the granting of a premises licence in December to allow alcohol to be served at performances such as live music events.
Work is still taking place to turn the first floor area into performance space but the ground floor will be next open to visitors on Thursday from 5pm to 8pm. Volunteers are also still being sought to assist with the project.
Konnectiv Arts is running The Space Station. But another group it is been working with, Stafford Carnegie Old Library Trust (Scolt), had hoped to buy one of the town’s centre’s iconic buildings to house the arts space.
The Grade II Old Library in The Green, which was previously considered as a potential community venue, is instead set to get a new lease of life as a bar/restaurant and apartments after planning permission was granted last year.
