Hi, I am a businessman who lives in Sheffield
I have a passion for all things music related, I have friends that are in bands and they complain of a lack of decent practice rooms

So here is my idea
to convert building/hanger/warehouse into clean dry well lit practice rooms with good facilities, ie, car parking, toilets, snack area, lockers, equipment hire, etc. to access any time for a fixed price per month, estimated at £150 for a 15x15 foot room with all above facilities

I would like your opinion on what I am trying to do and also any ideas you would like to share to improve the business plan.

Even if you have a room, already and you think the faciities are good, let me know your opinions, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for looking !

are these soundproof rooms? any idea how much the fit out will be and what the payback period is likely to be from that?

(sorry if I'm teaching grandma to suck eggs :( )

obviously you may have to check into change of use, soundproofing is a must if residential properties are nearby.... i was going to do something like this myself but sadly due to lack of funds and lack of a decent property i couldn't go ahead.

if you needed someone to maybe help make this become a reality (the best available) then maybe we could talk further....not sure to what degree you want to do it but i have a reasonable amount of contacts/friends in bands and venues etc....and of course a passion for music.

This would take a LOT of cash investment to do right. Just look how many rehearsal rooms / studio's come and go in Sheffield. Property is hard to come by, and very expensive, and the return is very low as a £5'er an hour (or even a £10'er an hour just isn't enought to keep any business afloat when there's rent / mortgage to pay, plus bills etc. Then there's soundproofing and Backline (drums / PA equipment etc.) - it all adds up.

The idea is a decent one, though. And better quality rehearsal rooms would be nice. Just doubt there's any places left to exploit (i.e. low rent v's good accomodation).

I think if you have the property its very possible to do, that is just the hardest part (well to rent/lease...if you buy you have a lot more options)

and a decent rehersal room would corner the market, because most dont realise the most basic little additions that would appeal to bands.

Some time ago there was a project proposed to create similar rehearsal facilities in the old Leadmill garage facilities.

I know someone who was involved in the early planning - I'll point them at this thread...

With regard to location, I'd have thought that you'd be better off looking at a warehouse type environment because most of the city centre based buildings capable of conversion will have a premium price because of conversion to flats / lofts.

My own opinion is that good practice rooms are actually growing both in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. The best I have been to is at elsecar. They have new gear that is kept in tip top shape. Thats the best bit of advice I can give. I have been to some whos gear I cant actually believe they bought but thought they had scoured skips for. One of them is supposed to be one of the biggest names too!

My own opinion is that good practice rooms are actually growing both in Sheffield and the surrounding areas.

well i know lots of bands looking for places and i've practiced in about 5/6 and i can find fault with most of them...you just have to take what you can get and sometimes pay a premium... would be interested in what rooms you are talking about.

luckily where we are now is the best we have had so hopefully we'll long be staying there.

With respect to keeping the overheads down in order to make something like this viable, I wonder if it might be worth investigating the possibility of subsidies. Sheffield City Council is putting a lot of emphasis on cultural strategy, provision of artists' workspace and such. Possibly there's some scope there?

Also worth noting that there's well established competition in the "by the hour" type of rehearsal facility (primarily Attic and Yellow Arch). I think the greater need is for actual rental space in which a band can leave their equipment set up, and conveniently this would also come a lot closer to covering cost and maybe even making a profit. There's still scope for backline rental here too, especially for PA/mixing gear.

Surely there must be some buildings on the industrial area near Niche nightbclub which can be haggled with. I know many people practice in them as ive heard them.

From my personal experience, leaving gear at a practice room is bad, i had a very nice double bass pedal stolen, and there was nothing to be done about it from one practice place.

I think ive been to yellowarch for the last time since this week. Charging us extra for an amp, a mic, and a power cable...all of which claim to be provided in the room. I know its a money making buisness, but come on...

Bursaries are definetly available for this type of thing, and then theres sponsorship from bigger companies...if you produce a good enough buisness plan, your on the right track.

I figured that possibly a practice room, that incorparated a live venue would be good, that way the acts get to put on shows in the place there comfortbable practicing in.

if you want to take it on seriously...get phil and kirstie involved..they are garunteed to be able to help you find the perfect place. ( location location location people)