The Generator Loughborough

The Generator Loughborough The Generator: Restoring Lboro's former Art College into an Inclusive Arts & Culture Centre. Igniting creativity, empowering communities.

Restoring The Generator Hall on Frederick St (part of the Old Art College) as an arts & culture hub for Loughborough. Due to open Spring 2025. Our original vision was to create a new creative community hub for the public and the creative industries in the four-storey former art college building on Frederick Street. This would be adjoined to a multimedia arts venue in The Generator, on Packe Street

. At the time, the team included Creative Leicestershire, Charnwood Arts, The Studio at Loughborough University, Love Loughborough BID, and supporters from Charnwood Borough Council. We undertook a feasibility study and formed a Community Interest Company (not-for-profit). We knew we needed substantial funds and that we were in for a long term project. But my goodness, we didn't know quite how long. Over the years the board has evolved, and we have made pragmatic decisions so as to keep the vision alive. We partnered with Grey Goose Ltd, a Loughborough Company, to jointly purchase the building as a whole from the University. The result is that The Generator Loughborough CIC has secured the use of The Generator ( hall and adjoining rooms) for the public, for 999 years. We have a Joint Venture Agreement with Grey Goose Ltd to jointly deliver the overall vision for the whole building and we work closely with their operating arm, Our Neighbourhood. The OAC ( The Old Arts College) is currently open and let to creative businesses and has a thriving coffee shop, Public, on the ground floor. We have nearly secured all the funding required and need just a bit more. The necessary work is mainly structural and although costly will hardly be visible and we will retain the existing character of the wonderful Generator Hall space. We are trying to find a way to make the building safe to open for a limited range of activities on an interim basis while the last bit of funding is secured and the next steps in the renovation are planned. The Generator will be the arts and culture hub that Loughborough so badly wants and needs. We will hold exhibitions, community events and arts events, workshops, performances, conferences and ceremonies. We will welcome all to our arts venue. We just hope it will be soon.

New in the exhibition. West African Adinkra block printing - ancient symbols, handmade by Loughborough University studen...
09/05/2026

New in the exhibition. West African Adinkra block printing - ancient symbols, handmade by Loughborough University students through Diverse Voices and LU Arts with . This is what the space is for.

Hannah Money and Scarlett Crawley are bringing their knitting to The Generator this Wednesday. Socks, scarves, squares -...
26/04/2026

Hannah Money and Scarlett Crawley are bringing their knitting to The Generator this Wednesday. Socks, scarves, squares - wherever you’re starting from, you’re welcome. Free, 3.30–5pm, 29 Apr · 6 May · 13 May.

Book at generatorlboro.org/events

25/04/2026
The building is buzzing. There’s an energy in here that feels just like it did when this place was full of art students ...
23/04/2026

The building is buzzing. There’s an energy in here that feels just like it did when this place was full of art students — that quiet hum of creative possibility. ⚡

Our inaugural launch sold out in two days- thank you. But this is just the beginning. For everyone who missed out, we’re releasing a free series of workshops and events for the whole community. No ticket needed.

Watch this space 👉 generatorlboro.org/events

We’re launching a free series of workshops- first up, Jemma Bagley brings her weaving magic this Saturday 25th April. 23...
23/04/2026

We’re launching a free series of workshops- first up, Jemma Bagley brings her weaving magic this Saturday 25th April. 230-430pm

No experience needed. Book your free ticket here:

🔗 generatorlboro.org/events

Our Very Fabric is the first exhibition to be presented at The Generator and takes inspiration from the long connection ...
21/04/2026

Our Very Fabric is the first exhibition to be presented at The Generator and takes inspiration from the long connection of our region to textile making and creative education.

Curated by our Community Engagement Coordinator Pasha Kincaid, the exhibition explores the many forms of making historically connected to the Old Art School and Generator spaces. Through weaving, pattern cutting, textiles, fashion, basketry, photographic processes, design, and printmaking, the exhibition reflects on the skills, materials, and creative practices that have shaped this building over time.

Swipe through to meet the artists featured in our first exhibition. We are bringing together works by:

Purnima Chavda

Maggie Cooper

Beth Lukockyj

Hannah Money

Nita Rao

Selene States

Donna Sharmaine

Raisa Watkiss

The exhibition also features contributions created alongside Jemma Bagley, James Chantry, local art students, and community groups. Together these works respond to the heritage of the building while celebrating the ongoing role of creative making within our community.

Encounter installations and artworks that use the full scale of the building. There are also opportunities to engage directly with textile processes through a programme of workshops including weaving, basketry, sock knitting, and block printing.

Visit Us
25 April to 29 May 2026
Thursday to Saturday weekly
10:00 am until 4:00 pm

🚨 Find out more and book your workshop places via the link in our bio.

LoughboroughTownDeal CommunityArt

Missed out on tickets for our opening night? You can still be at the heart of the celebration by joining our volunteer t...
17/04/2026

Missed out on tickets for our opening night? You can still be at the heart of the celebration by joining our volunteer team

We are searching for friendly people to assist with front of house roles for our opening event and to support our month long programme of workshops

If you have a few hours to spare and want to see the restored venue from behind the scenes please do get in touch. It’s a great way to support the arts in Loughborough while being apart of the team making it all happen.

Email [email protected] for more information on how you can help.

24/01/2026

When the lights went out. 💡

Ernie Miller shares a story from 1928, when a power cut brought Loughborough to a standstill.

This interview is part of The Generator: Stories & Memories oral history project. Listen to the full interview and more at the link in our bio or via our website.

The Generator: Stories and Memories - an oral history project supported by We’ve captured the voices, recollections and...
22/01/2026

The Generator: Stories and Memories - an oral history project supported by

We’ve captured the voices, recollections and experiences of those who studied, worked and created in the historic Packe Street building over the decades. Through these personal stories, we’re preserving the building’s rich creative legacy while sharing it with new generations as The Generator begins its next chapter as a vibrant community arts venue.

With thanks to for their continued support and for providing the filming location.
Click the link in bio to read or watch the full interviews.

📷

Address

12 Frederick Street
Loughborough
LE113AE

Website

https://www.generatorlboro.org/

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