Transformers win LOOSE a top prize
ATRAILBLAZING music collective has scooped a national award in recognition of its work transforming a dereliction-blighted building in Widnes into a thriving Halton arts venue.
LOOSE, based at The Studio on Lacey Street, was named the winner in the arts, culture and heritage category at The Civil Society’s national Charity Awards.
Event organisers hailed the group’s “passionate” work in giving residents a chance to learn music and perform as well as taking part in a range of arts activities from comedy and acting to radio broadcast.
Visitors to The Studio can also learn a wealth of production skills.
Although based in Widnes, the venue hosts musicians and other aspiring creatives from around Halton including Runcorn.
Louise Nulty, project manager, accepted the award on behalf of everyone at the group who had contributed to making the venue a “safe, friendly, and inspirational place for people of all ages and abilities to socialise and create”.
Jaki Florek, of LOOSE, said everyone involved in the initiative was “shocked and delighted” to have won the award ahead of strong competition, adding that after a year of lockdown the triumph had provided “a muchneeded boost to morale to all who work, volunteer, or participate in activities at The Studio”.
The Studio’s roots stretch back as far as the 1990s when residents noticed a lack of facilities for young people in the area but spotted them huddling outside pubs whenever live music was on.
A long process of creating The Studio began, with the aim of creating a space for people to create and enjoy music and the arts.
In 2009, a dilapidated rot-andfungus-infested building plagued with leaks on Lacey Street and at risk of demolition, was offered for the group to renovate.
Their efforts were rewarded with a string of grants, including from the National Lottery, and volunteers restored the building, having canvassed residents for what they wanted.
The Studio opened in 2010 and by 2015 was serving hundreds of children and families who wanted to make music and art and was welcoming in other small charities to use the space, reaching more families living with disabilities or facing severe deprivation.
Chris Michaels, Charity Awards judge, said: “You can tell it’s been a proper passionate 17-year journey of love, sweat and toil to make this happen.
“There’s a huge array of stuff under one small roof – I thought they were super-impressive.”
Fellow judge Paul Streets said: “I love the earthy, organic way it’s grown, and the passion that comes through in the application.
“This is the place I want to go if I’m in the area.”
LOOSE is a registered charity.