Hull of a job Film documents Thekla revamp
ANEW film has been released by the owners of Thekla which features unseen footage of the herculean effort it took to save the venue.
Last summer, the iconic boat sailed into the dry dock for a £1 million renovation, which included the installation of a new hull, allowing it to keep afloat in Bristol’s harbour for another 50 years.
Around 50 workers in the Albion Dry Dock in the city battled around the clock seven days a week for three months to give the worldfamous party boat its new steel hull.
More than 100 tonnes of steel and three tonnes of weld wire later, the mammoth efforts of workers saw Thekla return to its long-term berth in the Floating Harbour on September 9.
Now, owners DHP Family haveshared an eight-minute video about the major rescue job which features interviews with renowned Bristol musicians including drum & bass stalwart Roni Size and IDLES’ bassist Adam Devonshire, who are both full of praise for the venue.
But although the renovation theoretically secures the future of Thekla until 2070, the venue is still not completely safe, said Julie Tippins of DHP.
“Whilst the urgent restoration work has secured the physical future of the Thekla, the threat from planned residential development still remains and specifically the issue of noise complaints,” she said.
“So we urge any developer to carry out accurate sound surveys and put in place an appropriate level of soundproofing.”
Thekla’s general manager, Alex Black, explained why DHP took the decision to carry out the major works.
He said: “A life at sea combined with almost four decades in the music industry had taken its toll on the ship’s hull and it was time to do a little more than just patch it up.
“Manufacturing and installing the new hull was a huge project and a mammoth undertaking for all involved but it should ensure Thekla’s structural longevity for around 50 years.
“It would be devastating to lose such a prominent venue from the Bristol scene.
“Like all music venues in the UK, we have a lot of uphill battles to remain operational but fortunately for us the ship’s integrity is no longer one of them.”
Built in 1958, the historic boat now has a new, steel offset hull welded into place around the whole of the existing hull.
For more information about the venue, including its programme of upcoming events, visit Thekla’s website.