A CENTRE aimed at encouraging new musical talent in Darlington is nearing completion.

A converted Victorian school at the corner of Borough Road and Brunswick Street, is set to undergo a £220,000 facelift to become a state of the art practice and performance project.

From March onwards, the building will be renamed The Forum and will house three fully-digital recording studios, five rehearsal rooms, a graphics suite, a 170-capacity auditorium, a bar and a caf.

A consortium of local businesses is behind the members-only centre, due to open on March 1.

Dave Cox, co-investor and driving force behind the project, said: "It has taken a lot of time and patience from a variety of people to get The Forum up and running.

"We realise that there is a wealth of talented musicians from rock to hip-hop, to classical orchestra and choirs, and our aim is to give them a comfortable location to prosper.

"We want to make the centre multi-genre to cover every age group and there's nothing being done to attract all ages up to the senior citizens."

Darlington Borough Council turned down Mr Cox's first plan to re-open the town's former Beehive nightclub in 2002. Months of negotiation finally won a lease on the Borough Road site, but conditions include CCTV inside and outside, tight door security and a members and guests only policy to avoid potential trouble of people walking in off the street.

The Forum was then granted an entertainment licence in October, despite objections from nearby residents.

So far Mr Cox and his associates are putting in nearly £300,000 and expertise and they have a three-month deadline to totally upgrade the old school including wiring, central heating and sound-proofing.

The venue will hold gigs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, with local bands supporting headline acts.

The membership is expected to run into thousands as musicians and, most importantly, music fans, go along for an evening's entertainment.

Groups will be able to hire equipment at the venue, including guitars and drum kits, for as little as £5 an hour.

Manager Dan McKeown said: "Many bands have to look after all aspects of their gigs, from transport to setting up, promotion and performing. We aim to relieve some of the pre-performance pressures."

For details call (01325) 363135 or visit www.theforumonline.co.uk