Some before pics…the main room

Before the work...you can see lots of orange on the walls. there won't be any of that when it's finished!

The place was being used as a training venue for police dogs. As much as I like man's best pal, I am glad the smell of dog has been replaced by paint. The architect, John Rowe, who did the outline drawings of the place as was, came down here to measure up. When he next rang, he said something along the lines of 'did you know the police were using the place as a training facility?' in a very surprised, why-didn't-you-tell-me kinda way. I can only imagine them trying to measure the place up while the training was going on.

Also - spot the little Silas - that must be about 2 if not more months ago now...tiny! but he still is...

yes, and all that bench seating has gone, too

back soon!

New Continental: a bit of press

As some of you may have seen, we got a bit of press on Friday in the LEP. We appeared under the headline ‘barrel of laughs’, which has become ‘Pub’s playground turned into comedy club’ on the internet.

Hmm. This has caused much amusement to Jeremy (aka ‘Mr Continental’) and…well practically everyone we know, judging by the amount of texts and ‘ooh I saw you in the Post on Friday’ comments whenever we leave the house. As I am a shy girl (!), never to be seen on stage, and also often rather grumpy due to the refurb, the headline seems a slight misjudgement.

All I can say is no matter how lovely the photographer seems, don’t pose with a microphone while the builders are making jokes so you look like you’re laughing. I guess all stories need a handle and ‘black box studio space’ just ain’t as catchy.

Now as much as we are pleased about the press, and don’t wish to appear disgruntled in any way, the events space is going to be less of a comedy club – in fact not one at all – more an events space, with facilities for all manner of things, including studio theatre and music... Darn it (I say mildly), there may even be some open mic comedy in there, if someone wants to promote it. Just don’t get me to do it as I am rubbish at telling jokes.

So where are we at with the work?

It’s all coming on fairly smoothly, give or take the occasional hiccoughs. The building has been completely stripped back to the bones, except the bar. The snug’s berni-inn circa 1982 interior tiled roof has bitten the dust (anyone remember it? I’ll add some before and after pics soon), and the orange walls are no more. We’ve put a big arch between the conservatory and the main bar. The electrics are going in, plastering has started, wallpaper and paint are chosen, and we’re just about to order the furniture. So watch this space! We’ll post more soon.

Captain Coconut’s - becoming the performance / events space

Apart from sounding, as my good friend Jane put it, like a venue for ‘adult fun’, Captain Coconut’s is a very run down children’s soft play area. It’s seen many good times, in fact I would say it echoes with the ghostly sounds and childish screams of Saturday afternoons past.

This was the hook that really got us interested. It’s about the size of a small village hall, on the ground floor, with a separate entrance. Initially, we thought we’d re-work it as a more rootsy children’s space. Then we hit on the idea of making it into a multi-purpose events space with facilities for performance, children’s events, and anything else that might be looking for a venue. We’ll be programming series of events, and have had loads of positive feedback from people like CETH at UCLAN, arts organisations, creative industries folk, artists, theatre groups, and the like. Let us know what you’d like to see there.

I’ve sent out a message to local filmmakers. We’re opening the doors to see if people want to use it for some spooky, run-down play area filming. We’d love a short experimental film to be set there – perfect! I wonder what we’ll get back? If you’re interested, then get in touch!


We’ll be using the scaffolding to set up the lighting rig for the space. I think we’ll be giving the rest of the equipment to a good cause, if anyone has any ideas then let us know.

We'll also be changing the name!