Plans for Burslem venue in memory of Motorhead's Lemmy Kilmister
A planned concert venue in heavy metal legend Lemmy Kilmister's hometown would help to boost the area's music scene, a local artist has said.The proposal would see the vacant Queen's Theatre in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, transformed into an 800-seat venue with a cafe, museum and music studios.Among those behind the idea is sculptor Andy Edwards, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, who created the statue of the Burslem-born Motorhead frontman.Mr Edwards told BBC Radio Stoke the venue, which would be called Kilmister Hall, could help to attract more bands and artists to the city.
"We've got a big musical heritage in this city and we used to attract the best bands," he said."That's drifted away and this [new venue] would make a huge difference in getting that back again."
The Grade II-listed Queen's Theatre originally closed in 1998 but reopened for occasional events in 2003 before shutting again in 2014.It neighbours the Lemmy statue on Market Place, which was unveiled on 9 May to mark 10 years since the singer's death from cancer and the 50-year anniversary of Motorhead's formation.According to IFK Legacy CIC, which is working on the proposal, plans for the venue were at an early stage and organisers were looking at procuring the building and raising funds.Meetings have been held with Stoke-on-Trent City Council, which owns the theatre, and Mr Edwards said they had been "really positive".
He said it was important the project was financially viable, adding: "It's not just about wild dreams, it's about making things pay for themselves and not run out of steam."A spokesperson for the city council said there had been "lots of discussions" with interested parties over the future of the Queen's Theatre."While these discussions are in still in the early stages and all options are being explored, it is clear that all interested parties are keen to progress with a project to restore the building, particularly one which will combine a performance space with wider community and educational uses," they added.
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