Canalside is more than a venue – it’s a long-term project rooted in DIY spirit and built step-by-step by our community. Here's how we've been transforming the space, from bare walls to a working creative hub.
Our Development
Built by the People, for the People
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Built by the People, for the People //
Phase 1
The first chapter of Canalside was all about putting the work in – physically, financially, and collectively – to open the building safely and start building something real.
With the help of countless volunteers, months of fundraising, and a whole lot of work, we transformed a disused space into a functioning home for grassroots music. We knocked down walls, rewired lights, installed fire exits, sorted plumbing, cleaned every surface, and made sure everything met safety and accessibility standards – because the people who use the space deserve nothing less.
Behind the scenes, we also set up our base of operations, building out broadband, moving in kit, writing policies, setting up insurances, everything we needed to run a proper spacewith community at its heart.
From the start, our focus was on replicating what made Boom special: a safe, inclusive space for loud music, late nights, and people who care.
Phase 1 was about laying the groundwork — for the gigs, the rehearsals, the workshops and everything still to come.
Now that the doors are open, we’re into Phase 2 — shaping Canalside into the space we all imagined.
We’re tackling soundproofing room by room, using a mix of recycled materials and DIY ingenuity to build a space where gigs, rehearsals and community events can happen side by side. False walls, acoustic panels, new doors — it’s not glamorous work, but it’s the stuff that makes everything else possible.
We’re also designing each room for real use. That means setting up dedicated rehearsal spaces, flexible education rooms, and welcoming areas for the community to meet, learn, and create.
Everything we’re doing is about making the space more useful, more accessible, and more alive. More people through the door. More music being made. More room to grow.
Phase 2 isn’t just about upgrades — it’s about future-proofing Canalside so it can serve artists, audiences and our wider community for years to come.