Grassroots music venue Acid Rain has applied to extend its live music licence until 4am on weekends so it can put on 'high caliber events', according to venue bosses. The independent recording studio and event space on Dickinson Street is a creative collective that produces and platforms underground music.
Proposed opening hours
If approved by Salford council, the venue's new opening hours will run from 9am to 11.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays, 9am until 4am the following day on Fridays, 7am until 4am on Saturdays, and 7am until 1am on Sundays. Music would be permitted to play until the early hours, with alcohol served until approximately half an hour before close.
Founder's statement
Francesca Melia, the founder of the business, said: “This extension isn’t about running late every weekend, but about giving us the flexibility to host larger, higher caliber events that simply aren’t economically viable with an earlier curfew. Over the past year, we’ve proven we can manage later hours responsibly through Temporary Event Notices. Securing this license ensures we can keep supporting the grassroots scene and bringing top tier talent to our intimate space and keep the venue running smoothly.”
Melia added the small venue, which fits around 60 people, wanted to 'work collaboratively with their neighbours'. Acid Rain is 'created, decorated, and run by the grassroots music community', according to Melia, with no 'huge budgets'. The events would therefore potentially become a source of income to keep the site running.
Events and security measures
The shows would include 'small-scale performances and primarily DJ sets ranging across musical genres'. The management of the venue has also promised to up security with CCTV and enforce strict Challenge 25 policies.
Salford Council will consider extending the hours at a licensing hearing on Friday, August 21. The production firm's expansion comes as a legendary music venue on the same street is due to shut up shop soon. White Hotel, also on Dickenson St, announced earlier this year it would be winding down its operations after a decade of hosting experimental electronic and techno music. The 300-capacity club will shut its doors in January, with co-founder Ben Ward previously telling the press the white-brick garage was 'basically a swamp' and the venue was 'going on our own terms'.
