Council helping to replace music bus

COUNCIL money is being put towards a replacement for a bus which takes hip-hop to young people on Hull’s estates.

Hull Council has put £7,500 towards replacing the Beats Bus, the award-winning mobile recording studio which found fame nationally after featuring in A Northern Soul in 2018.

A council decision record stated the funding comes as Beats Bus is set to travel around Yorkshire to screen a new documentary on the dangers of gang culture.

The current Beats Bus, a mobile recording studio with its own on board DJ booth, radio and video production facilities, was declared damaged beyond repair due to rusting on its front and back axles.

Beats Bus managing director Nigel Taylor said they needed to go full steam ahead to get a new vehicle in time for an event on Saturday, May 11.

He added the work of his organisation relied on having a vehicle.

Mr Taylor said: “The bus is really the heart of our existence.

“We go into schools, community centres and open spaces and we just engage with locals who don’t really have access to the arts.

“The point of the bus is that we can go to the estates and bring high-quality music workshops directly to the community.

“For those on the fringes of society and struggling, it’s those minor little barriers stopping them from accessing the arts.”

The council’s decision record stated their contribution came as Beats Bus prepares to embark on its campaign with the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

The bus is set to travel around Yorkshire and the Humber to screen the documentary Change The Track which aims to educate people about grooming, weapons and gangs.

It is hoped that the documentary can be used to engage with young people, their friends and families.