ABC Wednesday: "A" is for A worthy cause, At risk London Road Fire Station- fundraiser 25 July

Taking part in ABC Wednesday. 

A benefit gig under the banner of Project Liberation is the first shot across the bows by the Friends of London Road Fire Station, a recently founded community trust that is fighting to save the neglected At Risk Grade II listed building opposite Piccadilly Station from terminal decay.  (See also two of my previous posts on the Old Fire Station).

The benefit gig, on 25 July, stars the bands Freedom of the City, Puppet Rebellion and The Fourth Circle, plus DJ Pasta Paul from Piccadilly Records. It takes place at the Soup Kitchen in the Northern Quarter. Money raised from the gig will be used by Friends of London Road Fire Station to fund a series of events this summer and autumn that aim to draw attention to the need to act quickly to ensure the iconic building is rescued from 27 years of neglect by its current owners. A petition set up by the Friends indicates overwhelming support by Manchester residents to protect the fire station. Please sign and share the petition  http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/manchesters-london-road-fire-station-standing-up

The gig will be also used to officially launch the Friends of London Road Fire Station and gig-goers will be invited to join the trust at a one-off reduced cost of £3. Members will have the right to vote as well as steer the trust’s direction its visions for the building. 

The profits from the Project Liberation gig will be used to fund an inclusive community exhibition using art, history, talks and workshops about the building. The event takes place at 4A Piccadilly Place from 22 to 25 August. Famous  Manchester artists Oliver East the artist for Elbow and Caroline Johnson, who recently exhibited at The Lowry, are among those contributing works. There will also be an all age ‘vision’ competition for what the building should be and there are hopes for a professional architecture competition later in the autumn. 

Adam Prince, who was the catalyst for the Friends campaign, says: "The cases of both MOSI and the LRFS CPO show a political bias against our city. I hope our city’s MPs will further the case for fair arts and culture funding distribution as the current planning permission for this building expires in September. There are so many greater uses for this building than a hotel, especially in this hotel-dense area. We are delighted Manchester’s emerging musical talents are supporting our cause.” 

Bob Bonner, former London Road firefighter and now voluntary curator of Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum, says: "This is one of Manchester's most iconic buildings, which is loved by many people. It deserves to be rescued from the current 'At Risk' impasse caused by years of neglect.” 

Paul Cantwell from Freedom of the City, described as one of Manchester's most promising bands, adds: "We need to celebrate our future and our people’s history by rescuing this building. Manchester is better than this.” 

Simon Monaghan, front man of the critically acclaimed indie band Puppet Rebellion, said: "It's great to support this fundraiser as our city needs to stand up so this building is not destroyed and can become something great for Manchester people.”  The Fourth Circle, a Psychedelic band said: "Seeing this building empty and neglected is so sad for the city and we are happy to offer our support". DJ Pasta Paul from Piccadilly Records attended the campaign meeting in February and it was clear from the hundred-plus people the London Road Fire Station situation is "something that angers so many people and they do not want to see a nationally important building decaying.”