by RACHEL RYAN THE future of the Lancaster Music Co-operative is safe in our hands promises the leader of Lancaster City Council.

The popular local musicians' centre is not about to be closed and its members turfed out on the street, says Cllr Ian Barker.

The pledge follows reports that the co-operative is about to close to make way for redevelopment of its Lodge Street home.

The group's Tom Myall said last week that it was told by the city council it could use the premises for 25 years to operate its recording studio and rehearsal space.

But now developers are set to move in as part of the council's Canal Corridor North regeneration scheme meaning it will have to move out.

He told the Citizen: "Apparently, the council will recommend to the developer that he accommodates us in the new plan, but he will be under no obligation.

"If it spells the end of the co-operative it will be a big loss because young musicians will have nowhere to go."

But Cllr Barker promises that the Musicians' Co-op has no need to worry.

"We want to provide expansion of shopping facilities which will bring jobs to the town but we also want it to be a mixed development," he says.

He promises that people currently on site will be offered an opportunity' to be based elsewhere.

"The developer has to consult with the public and there is a lot of preliminary work to be done. Some people will be affected and the Music Co-operative will be among them but to say the council will just throw them off the premises is wrong," says Cllr Barker.

He says the redevelopment aims to revitalise a rundown area of Lancaster and transform it into a vibrant' place where key features will include a cultural quarter around The Dukes and Grand Theatre.