Build Our Future | Future Yard Build Our Future | Future Yard

Build Our Future

Build Our Future

UNLOCKING THE POWER OF MUSIC TO CREATE A BETTER FUTURE, FOR GENERATIONS TO COME

We have just launched a new Crowdfunder, to support our exciting new expansion and strengthen our future, as we move into a new phase. Build Our Future will support the construction of a new 600 capacity indoor venue on the Future Yard site, alongside 12 flexible studio spaces.

For six years, Future Yard has been proving what’s possible when music is treated as a transformational force. From hosting almost 900 shows to welcoming over 120,000 audience members; from Mercury Prize winners to as-yet-unheard local talent, we have brought the world to Birkenhead – and presented Birkenhead back to the world.

But now, we’re full. Demand has outgrown our 280-capacity live room. Shows are oversubscribed. Training programmes are limited by space. And yet, we are presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It’s time to Build Our Future – together.

Build Our Future is a chance for the whole community around Future Yard to come together and help shape the next chapter, through fundraising, sharing our successes and imagining a new way of doing things in an expanded new space.

The crowdfunding campaign will enable our local community to support the construction of a new, indoor venue and 12 flexible studio spaces at our venue on Argyle Street. This expansion will enable Future Yard to host more shows, host higher-profile artists, create more opportunities for emerging talent and expand our training programmes and education work for local people. The expansion will also result in the creation of around new employment opportunities initially, and potentially dozens over the next three years.

We have already secured 95% of  the £3m project which will begin this Spring. This fundraising campaign is looking to raise £150k, of which 50% will support construction costs and 50% will support Future Yard’s Neighbourhood Ticket Scheme, alongside the organisation’s skills and training programme.

The funds already secured have come through public funding: the Local Regeneration Fund, managed by Wirral Council and funded by the UK Government; and supported by Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme.

The expanded venue will allow for higher profile acts, giving us a more sustainable financial footing and will reduce the risk around open air concerts, weather factors and noise limitations.

Built into Future Yard’s work is a commitment to nurturing music talent from cradle to career. The new flexible studio spaces will allow us to expand on our commitment to training, music education provision and encouraging a love of music in young people who have no access to music education.

Last year alone, 1443 children attended Future Yard’s Sunday-morning Mosh Tots shows, making live music accessible to kids and young families. 166 young people took part in Sound Check, an inclusive music training programme in live sound, lighting, stage management and event production. Through mentorship, workshops and performance opportunities, the Propeller programme supports the development of local music creators, and 75 local artists received tailored support last year. New Noise is where the next generation of music makers begin. Every Saturday, young people aged 11–16 take over Future Yard to explore instruments, write songs, and play the music they love.

In 2025, we launched a pilot project with 12 local schools, seeking to redefine what music education in Primary school can be. 3500 children across these schools will have the opportunity to blend inspiring classroom learning with life-changing live music experiences.

Since September 2025, 41.6% of children who have engaged in music activity through a new in-schools pilot are from areas of high deprivation (measured by the top 20% identified by the Indices of Multiple Deprivation datasets).

Craig Pennington is Future Yard CIC CEO and co-founder, who says on the project:

“We are launching this crowdfunder at a moment when we’re aware of the pressures on live music venues and on music education. With support from Wirral Council and Arts Council England we are almost there, this just helps us to get over the line.”

“Living in this part of the world you are always very aware about the legacy of access to music, and the importance of learning from a young age, what music and being a musician can do. There is a democratic thread to music which should allow access to music education for every child. When we opened Future Yard we were committed to being more than a live music venue but also being a place that puts opportunity at the heart of our programme. BUILD OUR FUTURE doesn’t only secure the future of Future Yard, it preserves the work we have done to maintain a commitment to music education in Wirral”.

Jayne Clough is a Board Member at Future Yard CIC, who explains:

“Growing up in Birkenhead as a music fan, I would have loved having a venue like Future Yard on my doorstep. Since opening, there’s been so many incredible acts and unforgettable nights. It’s lifted the town, inspired community, provided jobs, nurtured creativity and firmly put Birkenhead on the musical map — wherever I go, people talk about Future Yard. But success brings a challenge: keeping it sustainable.

“We hear about beloved venues closing all the time, and so what we are trying to do is future-proof Future Yard. If you care about music and your community, please back the crowdfunder if you can.”

We don’t just host shows, we build futures.

And we’re just getting started.

Build Our Future.

 

 

Key Dates

  • Build Our Future Crowdfunder will launch 27th February
  • 6-8 March 48 Hour Party People – fundraising concert for 48 Hours at Future Yard
  • Work starts on the project Spring 2026
  • Crowdfunder closes 27th March

For further information or press queries, please contact chris@futureyard.org.