Commemorating the legendary DJ John Peel who died in 2004, The John Peel Centre for the Creative Arts in Stowmarket is looking forward to completion of works at the old Stowmarket Corn Exchange.
The last phase of the restoration from disused agricultural building to spacious arts centre includes the installation of mezzanine flooring to provide an area to accommodate a café bar, which it is anticipated will increase visitor numbers. Various activities and exhibitions are underway to raise the funds necessary for this stage of the work to be commenced.
Recently closed for the addition of new entrance doors and three stained glass windows, some of the building work has been financed by the People’s Millions while it is hoped that further finance will be provided by Biffa, the waste disposal firm.
A long term resident of the small Suffolk town of Stowmarket, John Peel came to public notice in the 1960s as one of the first BBC1 disc jockeys, renowned for playing new and innovative music from unconventional and unknown artists.
The arts centre has been designed as a community centre for local people of all ages, whether artist or audience, to enjoy the variety of arts and music on offer, both locally and nationally, with the emphasis still on new and unrecognised talent.
As land prices and building costs rise, it is essential to make the best use of every inch of available space and many developers are installing mezzanine floors to increase the useable area without increasing the ground print of the building.
