Tears of joy' as under-threat Lancaster Music Co-op is saved

Lancaster Music Co-op is set to reopen after being shut for six years following concerns about the building’s safety. The Lodge Street studio closed in 2021, but supporters say it will return with newly refurbished facilities expected to open in June 2027. Local musicians, including Matt Sheffield of Alsatian Eyes, described the news as replacing “tears of glum fear” with “tears of joy.” Founded in 1985, the co-op has long backed emerging artists, with five rehearsal rooms plus a small recording studio planned, and potential expansion upstairs if further funding is raised.