So I sat for two hours in a vacant town centre shop…
…and had a great time…!
Good thing is, I was not alone. The best thing is I was really lucky to have been there as part of the audience for a Crewe staging of the brilliant Mick Martin play Keep On Keepin’ On. Not only is it set in a #highstreet shop but has the challenges facing indie #retail owners and town centres in general as a running theme, not least in the inspirational ending (which I’ll not say more about so I don’t take the edge off for anyone who’s still to see it).
Seriously if you’re in or around Blackburn or Blackpool in the next two weeks I’d check out Northern Soul Productions and book to go.
For me, with a tackling vacancy focus and believing so strongly in the (much bigger) positive role arts & crafts, creative, culture can play in that, being involved in this project has been a joy and a real learning experience. That’s partly because the team have put so much effort into building a connecting programme around it including for this first week…
- a business support workshop;
- a live vinyl DJ-led northern soul set at the town’s Market Hall and
- a creative careers and connections event hosted by the local theatre.
Do take a look and if you think the play would be a fit with efforts you’re making to increase the impact of arts & crafts, creative, culture in your town or city centre, do please shout…!
