FEASIBILITY_STUDY , item 14. PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and ...

A feasibility study prepared for the Black Box TrustNovember 2011“The Black Box has certainly benefitted our business. It has brought people into thearea, particularly in January when they have the „Out to Lunch‟ Festival, the only Januaryfestival in Europe which is brilliantly organised and draws people in pre and post eventsfor drinks” Gerry White of the John Hewitt, Cathedral Quarter Belfast“…they bring a huge element of „chance‟ custom; we may only have 20 people bookedand actually do 80.” Nick Price of Nick‟s Warehouse, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.“The Black Box events and festivals bring approximately 10 to 15 percent additionalbusiness” Gerry White of the John Hewitt, Cathedral Quarter BelfastThere was overall consensus that the Black Box had created its own audience based on thetypes of events it hosts. It was recognised as becoming an increasingly popular music venue,offering performances from country and western style artists to rock bands attracting a mix ofaudience characteristics – young, mature, quirky, sophisticated.The Black Box was also described as being „relaxed and intimate‟ with all types of performers„getting the chance‟ to perform.”The Black Box is experimental and hosts all kinds of events and performances frompeople from all backgrounds, giving once marginalised groups the opportunity toperform” Willy Jack of the Duke of York, Cathedral Quarter BelfastThe upcoming arrival of the MAC to the Cathedral Quarter was welcomed by the consultees,agreeing that “anything that adds to this area as a cultural hub for the city and keeps thataura of quality about it is good” Nick Price of Nick‟s Warehouse, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.The MAC was also expected to have a positive effect on the local area “The MAC will have abrilliant effect on the Cathedral Quarter, top-notch exhibition galleries, everyone in thearea should benefit from its location” Gerry White of the John Hewitt, Cathedral QuarterBelfast.Consultees all agreed that there was a place for the Black Box to exist alongside the MAC asthe two venues would provide different offerings to different audience types and would not be indirect competition with one another.“The Black Box and the MAC can co-exist if they keep it focussed on their specialities.The MAC has always been about drama and performance art, whereas the Black Box tome has always been about music, of which the offering is fantastic” Nick Price of Nick‟sWarehouse, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.“The Black Box and the MAC wouldn‟t run in competition – each will provide a differentoffering. The MAC will have more well-known shows and performances, whereas theBlack Box brings in up and coming bands that no one has heard of but are class. Bothcould definitely work independently and complement one another” Gerry White of theJohn Hewitt, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.However, it was highlighted that if it was decided that the two venues could not co-exist and theBlack Box was to close “it would decrease turnover and the impact on the area would bedramatic” Willy Jack of the Duke of York, Cathedral Quarter Belfast.It was agreed across all of the consultations that the Black Box had complemented the existinginfrastructure and resources of the Cathedral Quarter area and that the Black Box would bemissed if it was to close.24