The Generator Loughborough Logo in black and white

Welcome to the Generator!

The Generator CIC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company run by volunteers. Its mission is to create a multi-purpose Arts venue for Loughborough.In 2019 the CIC joined forces with local developer Our Neighbourhood to acquire from Loughborough University the iconic former Art College building on Frederick Street in Loughborough.

Together we are delivering a long held vision to turn the building into a creative hub for the town with workspace for creative industries, a restaurant/café, a multi-media arts space for live performances and a venue for exhibitions, corporate events and celebrations. There will be space for use by local arts organisations and community groups.

The building is in two distinct parts but will operate as an integrated operation. Our Neighbourhood is in charge of the Old Art College building fronting Frederick Street where they have already created new spaces for locally based creative businesses and a thriving café (‘Public’) with bakery and florist . The CIC is in charge of the Generator Gallery fronting Packe Street and is raising funds to convert it into the arts venue. There will be a direct link with the restaurant/café so that can be used with events and performances.


The CIC is supported with over £2 m funding from Loughborough Town Deal, Charnwood Borough Council, the LLEP, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Architectural Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. We have applications pending for further funding and hope to be in a position to start the works in early 2024

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Consultation and Engagement

Recent Activities

The Generator Loughborough Logo - neon sign animation

We have set up this web site and also social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. We are producing regular newsletters on our progress and recommend subscribing to keep up with the latest developments. If you are interested in working with us in any capacity (volunteering, performances, running events etc.) please get in touch via the contact form.

What we will be offering

A UNIQUE NEW VENUE

The Generator Hall will be a unique new arts and culture venue and also for exhibitions, corporate events and celebrations with a variety of spaces which can be used on their own or in combination. Food and refreshments can be provided too.

HERITAGE AND CULTURE

Exciting, new programmes will be delivered to encourage the wider public to interact with The Generator’s unique contribution to the Town’s history. It was part of the original Loughborough Technical College, out of which grew the world famous Loughborough University.


The programmes will include open events such as exhibitions, talks, and film screenings, along with an active history interpretation as we bring the building back to life.


We will share the history of Frederick Street with as many people as possible, the impact it has had on the community over the years and how we hope to continue this for the future.

REGENERATION

The CIC and its partners believe that The Generator and the Old Art College will make a fundamental contribution to creative industry in the town and the local economy.


It will bring a wealth of talent to Loughborough and retain it, harnessing the potential of the town’s creative industry and helping to support and regenerate the Town Centre.

A UNIQUE NEW VENUE

The Generator Hall will be a unique new arts and culture venue and also for exhibitions, corporate events and celebrations with a variety of spaces which can be used on their own or in combination. Food and refreshments can be provided too.

HERITAGE AND CULTURE

Exciting, new programmes will be delivered to encourage the wider public to interact with The Generator’s unique contribution to the Town’s history. It was part of the original Loughborough Technical College, out of which grew the world famous Loughborough University.


The programmes will include open events such as exhibitions, talks, and film screenings, along with an active history interpretation as we bring the building back to life.


We will share the history of Frederick Street with as many people as possible, the impact it has had on the community over the years and how we hope to continue this for the future.

REGENERATION

The CIC and its partners believe that The Generator and the Old Art College will make a fundamental contribution to creative industry in the town and the local economy.


It will bring a wealth of talent to Loughborough and retain it, harnessing the potential of the town’s creative industry and helping to support and regenerate the Town Centre.

Stay up to date on The Generator with our newsletter


Covering developments, events and ways you can get involved.

You can change your preferences or opt out of hearing from us at any time using the unsubscribe link in our emails.

Read our full privacy policy here.


Newsletter Signup

Progress

The CIC has promoted the project over a number of years. We now own the building, we have planning permission for the conversion of the Generator Hall and we have secured £2 m worth of funding from various sources. We are working hard to raise the remaining funds needed (about £0.5 m). 


We have detailed designs in place and we have dealt with asbestos and lead paint to make the building safe and we are ready to go once the funds are in place.

The CIC has promoted the project over a number of years. We now own the building, we have planning permission for the conversion of the Generator Hall and we have secured £2 m worth of funding from various sources. We are working hard to raise the remaining funds needed (about £0.5 m). 


We have detailed designs in place and we have dealt with asbestos and lead paint to make the building safe and we are ready to go once the funds are in place.

The CIC has promoted the project over a number of years. We now own the building, we have planning permission for the conversion of the Generator Hall and we have secured £2 m worth of funding from various sources. We are working hard to raise the remaining funds needed (about £0.5 m). 


We have detailed designs in place and we have dealt with asbestos and lead paint to make the building safe and we are ready to go once the funds are in place.


Women reading in a chair at The Generator Loughborough, taken from a mezzanine floor

Background

The Generator building, located at 12 Frederick Street, was one of the original Loughborough Technical Institute buildings in the town centre. As Loughborough College, under the inspired leadership of Herbert Schofield, it acquired land on the edge of the town and evolved into what is now Loughborough University and Loughborough College. It is part of the town’s history, and its unique role as one of the early power generating stations plus its previous identity as the College of Art means that it is an icon for both industry and creativity. We want to share that heritage with the people of Loughborough and show how the building was the foundation of further and higher education in the town and its important links with local industry. Thousands of local people trained there in technical skills and went on to serve apprenticeships in the town’s engineering, hosiery and textile industries. This ethos will inform the new Generator community.

The Generator Loughborough (CIC) formed in 2015 brings together partners with a long record and quality reputation of working in the Arts, in business and in the creative industries. Our networks and achievements span local, regional, national and international dimensions.

Work on bringing The Generator building to life began a number of years ago when Arts Council England supported a bid to make it into a creative community space. Although this proved unsuccessful, the CIC has continued to fight for The Generator’s life and engaged new partners in its passion to make the building useable again.


Considerable work was done to prove the need for the project and to develop a business plan to show that its future use can be sustained. The design approach has been one of minimal intervention to maintain the character of this important 1930s building and to retain the stunning spaces within it.


An experienced design team was appointed to draw up detailed plans to support successful applications to the Town Deal Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The Generator will contribute to community cohesion locally, as well as to the local economy and town centre regeneration. Driven by the town’s community it will become an iconic new venue for the performing Arts as well as a place for the community to come together for events, exhibitions and celebrations. It will be a catalyst for the retention and attraction of talent and a hub for the growth of the creative economy in Loughborough. We believe it will contribute to the health and well-being of the local community as a trusted and accessible venue. 


The Generator will bring together a unique blend of expertise across the business, arts, media and health and wellbeing sectors, and will create a wealth of opportunities and new markets for the thriving local arts community. The synergy of these relationships will result in innovative collaborations; stimulating new ways of working in business, the Arts, culture and the public sphere.

Background

The Generator building, located at 12 Frederick Street, was one of the original Loughborough Technical Institute buildings in the town centre. As Loughborough College, under the inspired leadership of Herbert Schofield, it acquired land on the edge of the town and evolved into what is now Loughborough University and Loughborough College. It is part of the town’s history, and its unique role as one of the early power generating stations plus its previous identity as the College of Art means that it is an icon for both industry and creativity. We want to share that heritage with the people of Loughborough and show how the building was the foundation of further and higher education in the town and its important links with local industry. Thousands of local people trained there in technical skills and went on to serve apprenticeships in the town’s engineering, hosiery and textile industries. This ethos will inform the new Generator community.

The Generator Loughborough (CIC) formed in 2015 brings together partners with a long record and quality reputation of working in the Arts, in business and in the creative industries. Our networks and achievements span local, regional, national and international dimensions. Work on bringing The Generator building to life began a number of years ago when Arts Council England supported a bid to make it into a creative community space. Although this proved unsuccessful, the CIC has continued to fight for The Generator’s life and engaged new partners in its passion to make the building useable again.


Considerable work was done to prove the need for the project and to develop a business plan to show that its future use can be sustained. The design approach has been one of minimal intervention to maintain the character of this important 1930s building and to retain the stunning spaces within it.


An experienced design team was appointed to draw up detailed plans to support successful applications to the Town Deal Fund, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Architectural Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The Generator will contribute to community cohesion locally, as well as to the local economy and town centre regeneration. Driven by the town’s community it will become an iconic new venue for the performing Arts as well as a place for the community to come together for events, exhibitions and celebrations. It will be a catalyst for the retention and attraction of talent and a hub for the growth of the creative economy in Loughborough. We believe it will contribute to the health and well-being of the local community as a trusted and accessible venue. 


The Generator will bring together a unique blend of expertise across the business, arts, media and health and wellbeing sectors, and will create a wealth of opportunities and new markets for the thriving local arts community. The synergy of these relationships will result in innovative collaborations; stimulating new ways of working in business, the Arts, culture and the public sphere.

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Contact Us

Crowdfunder Virtual Recognition Board

With heartfelt thanks to the Crowdfunder donors listed, who claimed this reward in as part of their £10 donation.


CROWDFUNDER - THE FULL STORY

Alison Alison

Romy Antrobus

Emily Arnold

Annabel Bannister

Ashley Bartlett

Benjamin Bays

Miriam Bean

Mr S R Best

Rossana Buttarazzi

Catherine Clift

Emma Compson

Janet Currie

Mrs Pamela Darby

Lisa Davenport

Liz Evans

Rozelle Faulkner

Yonca Feeney

Olivia Fitch

Mister Fuggles

Sarah Garvey

Aimee Green

Stephanie Honey

Nita Jarram

Jenny Jervis

Jo-Anne Marlow

Chris McLeod

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Lewis Parkins

Lindsey Peacock

Jacqueline Rawling

Philippa Russell

Sheree Shaw

Christine Shelton

Evelyn Silver

Helen Sutherland

Claire Tidmarsh-Brown

Jake Twell

Jennifer Venn

weaverema

Claire Williamson

Tabea Zorn

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