Expansion for recording studio backed by Prince Harry

Prince Harry visiting the Community Recording Studio in 2016
By Kit Sandeman, Local Democracy Reporter

A recording studio backed by Prince Harry is set for a significant expansion, it has been announced.

The Community Recording Studio has had a long relationship with the prince, ever since he visited back in 2013.

Now, the studio which helps give opportunities to musical teenagers and people experiencing life challenges, is expanding.

It has been based in part of the Russell Youth Club, in St Ann’s but is now extending into the rest of the building.

Video: Prince Harry being greeted by Trevor Rose at CRS when he visited in 2019

It comes after Nottingham City Council, which owns the building, agreed to sell it to the successful studio so they could expand.

Some other services will still be run from the centre, and the council will have access for various social programmes during the week.

The centre will soon be having a facelift as well, courtesy of hit TV programme DIY SOS.

Host Nick Knowles and his team of Mark, Billy, Chris, Jules and designer Gabrielle will be delivering an ambitious two-week build at the studio to breathe new life into the building.

TV programme DIY SOS are due to give the recording studios a facelift as part of a BBC Children in Need special

The facelift is currently due to start in September of this year.

Councillor David Mellen is the leader of the council, and represents the Dales ward for Labour.

He said: “The Community Recording Studio is a well-established and highly regarded community asset in St Ann’s.

“They are currently occupying a small part of the Russell Youth Club building, which is occasionally used for other activities.

“This arrangement allows the studio to expand into the building, while youth and other community activities can continue to take place on the premises under the ownership and management of the Community Recording Studio.

“Not only that, but it allows the studio to improve the building, so it really is a win-win.”

A council report on the sale said: “The Russell Youth Club is situated in St Ann’s, and helps to provide youth services in a key location. Whilst services are run from it, it is currently under-utilised, and the Recording Studio, currently located in a small annex to the main building is looking to expand as its popularity continues to grow.

“A sale has been agreed whereby the CRS will take on the full responsibility for the whole of the property, and continue to allow the city council access every week to deliver their own services.

“They will look to source grant funding to improve the overall condition of the building, which will help to support the centres’ overall standing in the community. “

The cost of the sale has not been revealed by the council, who have said it is commercially sensitive information.