Jamming plan to boost live music

Feargal Sharkey is chairman of the government's Live Music Forum

Live music champion Feargal Sharkey has challenged every council in England and Wales to convert at least one disused property into a rehearsal space.

The former Undertones singer, who chairs the Live Music Forum government task force, said the initiative would boost the UK's "£5bn music industry".

Opening the first studio converted under the scheme, in Wrexham, he added: "It doesn't need massive investment."

Donating "a space and a small financial contribution" would be enough, he said.

At the opening of the studio, Feargal Sharkey, said: "It may be a romantic stereotype - fledgling bands rehearsing in their parents' garage before cutting their teeth on the live circuit.

"But good quality, properly equipped studios are invaluable in getting a good sound early on.

"With so many properties lying empty in every council area, I believe at least one has the potential to be a rehearsal studio. Wrexham Council have shown that it doesn't need massive investment - just the donation of a space and a small financial contribution."

The WDA (Welsh Development Agency) have provided a grant of £17,500 to staff the project.

Wrexham council have provided the space rent free, added £1,500 towards the construction costs and supplied the equipment for the small recording studio based next door to the rehearsal room.