Future Yard reveals ambitious plans for new 600 capacity venue

Birkenhead’s favourite music hub, Future Yard, has started construction on a huge new performance space right on its existing site.

This £3m investment is a total game-changer, allowing the team to expand their incredible programme and connect with more people across the Wirral than ever before.

The ‘BUILD OUR FUTURE’ project is set to supercharge the venue’s capacity to a massive 960+, while adding 12 flexible studio spaces perfect for everything from band rehearsals and music lessons to creative workshops.

It was a huge moment for Birkenhead as Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram joined local MP Alison McGovern, Cllr Mark Skillicorn, and the Future Yard crew to officially break ground on the site. With 95% of the £3m funding already locked in, a crowdfunding campaign is now live until the end of March to raise the final £150k, which will be split right down the middle to fund construction and power the venue’s amazing Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme and skills training.

Built into Future Yard’s work is a commitment to nurturing music talent. With the new studio spaces, Future Yard will be able to expand on its commitment to training, music education provision and encouraging a love of music in young people who have no access to music education.

Last year alone, 1443 children attended Future Yard’s Sunday-morning Mosh Tots shows, making live music accessible to kids and young families. 166 young people took part in Sound Check, an inclusive music training programme in live sound, lighting, stage management and event production. Through mentorship, workshops and performance opportunities, our Propeller programme supports the development of local music creators, and 75 local artists received tailored support last year. New Noise is where the next generation of music makers begin. Every Saturday, young people aged 11–16 take over Future Yard to explore instruments, write songs, and play the music they love.

Last year, 1,443 kids enjoyed ‘Mosh Tots’ Sunday gigs, and 166 young people gained hands-on experience in lighting and sound through Sound Check. The Propeller programme supported 75 local artists with tailored mentorship, while every Saturday, New Noise gives 11–16-year-olds the chance to write songs and play instruments at the venue. Every Saturday, young people aged 11–16 can attend Future Yard to explore instruments, write songs, and play the music they love.

John Whaling is Chair at Future Yard, said:

“Future Yard’s mission is to transform both Birkenhead and the nature of what a UK grassroots music venue does, based on the principle that music can change the world. What has been achieved so far is miraculous, but by design, not by accident. Launched on the eve of lockdown six years ago, Future Yard is now a local anchor institution, a training and education provider, a national social value and sustainability exemplar, and of course an exceptional live music venue employing 50 people.

Future Yard 2.0 will enable us to deliver more, bigger, even better for local residents and emerging acts, plus regional, national and international artists and audiences. It will equally accelerate the regeneration of Birkenhead and enhance the Liverpool City Region’s already UK-leading position with regard to both music and place-based innovation”.

Alison McGovern, MP for Birkenhead and Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, said:

“I’ve loved Future Yard ever since it opened and created a space, not just for live music performance but also as a space for young people to learn their skills. At this moment in time, a lot of music venues are under pressure, but in Birkenhead we’re turning the tables on that. These are the jobs of the future and in the music industry in particular Future Yard is investing in nurturing that skill and talent. This is, and will continue to be a music venue for young people and the community. It is changing hearts and minds across the country about Birkenhead because this is a nationally recognised venue that musicians and audiences love”.

Richard Brown, Senior Relationship Manager, Arts Council England said:

“We are proud to support Future Yard as one of our National Portfolio Organisations and to have funded its expansion plans with a grant of £499,999 through our Capital programme. The new venue will enable the organisation to expand its offer to local musicians, giving even more people the opportunity to train, develop their skills and perform right where they live. We’re so excited to see the plans come to fruition and to see the difference it will make to Birkenhead audiences and the next generation of musicians.”