Mystery surrounds Huddersfield's Beaumont Street Studios closure

Feb 8 2010 By Emma Davison

Mystery surrounds studios closure

MYSTERY surrounds the sudden closure of Beaumont Street Studios.

Fears were last night growing over the future of the community music centre and radio station as those connected with the company said they had not heard from staff for over a week.

And last night a town centre project which has spent years working closely with the studios admitted that the partnership no longer existed.

The company, which trains and supports people wanting to go into music and media, is due to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year.

The studios are famous for the well-known bands who have recorded there over the years, including Brighouse rock band Embrace, Chumbawamba and Shed Seven.

A few months ago its administrative office moved from St Peter’s Chambers to the Media Centre on Lord Street, with music training sessions relocated to the Hudawi Centre on Great Northern Street.

The St Peter’s premises are now locked up and a To Let sign is outside.

But staff at the Media Centre said they had not seen workers going into their office for over a week.

The caretaker of the Hudawi Centre confirmed no one from the company had visited the centre since Monday, but all the equipment was still in the two rooms they rent out.

He said: “They’ve been here since November, but the last time I saw anybody was on Monday.

“I was told that they won’t be back for a while because they have some things to sort out and that they may have to lay off one or two people.”

A freelance worker with the company, who did not want to be named, said he has not been able to get in contact with the studios.

He said: “I’ve been working for them through another company who have now told me that my contract will be ending.