Harnham Bunker's creative future

Salisbury City Council is pleased to announce that Underground Studios CIC will soon be the new custodians of The Harnham Bunker.

Following an application process in June for new tenants at the underground bunker with a focus on provision for young people, Underground Studios CIC plan to launch an exciting programme of workshops, sessions and a creative youth club to The Bunker.

This will provide predominantly young people with experiences and opportunity to learn and develop skills in music and digital media.

The Underground Studios is a collaboration between Alex Mobaraki, Naomi Payne and mySalisbury founder Andy Munns.

The Bunker is to be renovated to create multi-use areas where many creative activities can be pursued. These include a radio and podcasting studio, music practice space, a recording studio, a TV studio and an IT and editing suite.

There will be a chance for young people to learn about digital media in the forms of Radio, Podcasting, TV and Film as well as a journalism and digital media projects aimed at the wider community with a wider age range of participants.  

The team at Underground Studios also wish to open their doors to other partner organisations working with young people and other sections of the community to develop a vibrant creative hub and maximise the space.

The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Caroline Corbin said, “The City Council is delighted to support Underground Studios to bring the Bunker back into community use for the benefit of the community. We encourage all those interested to get in touch with the team and make the most of the opportunities at the Bunker.”

Andy Munns, one of the directors of Underground Studios CIC and organiser of last week's 'Biggest Pub Quiz Ever' told us, “It is hugely exciting to be entrusted with The Bunker.

"It’s an amazing space that will allow us to welcome lots of young people, and some older ones too, into the space and allow them to learn and develop new skills.

"It’s really important to us that as many people, from as many backgrounds as possible can access the projects that we are running and The Bunker becomes well known as a welcoming and safe place for people to come and try new things.”

Fellow director Alex added, "It feels like a lifetime ago since the bunker's doors were last open, so being able to finally say that the bunker is back is fantastic.

"We'd like to use this opportunity to thank all the young people, their families, local businesses, educational institutions and council members; The support we've received has been absolutely amazing. It's been a long journey but we're so happy to be returning home."

Both Andy and Alex have joined the newly formed Youth Forum that has been put together by Sarah Gregson, the City Council’s Communities Manager and will be working with her to connect their exciting work.

There are conversations already taking place with The City Council Communities Team, Wiltshire Creative and Wiltshire Council to increase provision through collaboration to provide more exciting opportunities for young people in Salisbury.

For more updates and information check out The Underground Studios website – http://theundergroundstudios.co.uk or follow them on social media.