Feargal Sharkey, now chair of the UK's Live Music Forum of course, has called on local authorities around England and Wales to convert at least one disused property into a rehearsal space, in a bid to boost the UK's music industry at the grass roots.
In Wrexham to open a new studio launched under such a local authority scheme, Sharkey told reporters: "It may be a romantic stereotype - fledgling bands rehearsing in their parents' garage before cutting their teeth on the live circuit. But good quality, properly equipped studios are invaluable in getting a good sound early on. With so many properties lying empty in every council area, I believe at least one has the potential to be a rehearsal studio. Wrexham Council have shown that it doesn't need massive investment - just the donation of a space and a small financial contribution."
Wrexham Council have donated the space rent free to the project as well as making £1500 available for renovation work. The Welsh Development Agency has provided an additional £17,500 to staff the project.