Three years on, the venue has gone from strength to strength.
On the 1st of September 2023, Grahame Richardson got the keys to the White Room Gallery, which soon became The White Room Music Cafe. After “some sleepless nights and stressful days”, as Grahame puts it, the venue opened on the 15th of October.
There were worries at the start. Rising costs, ticket sales, and whether artists would support an independent venue, the only one in Stanley.
They did. The venue has played host to Baz Warne, frontman with The Stranglers, to punk legend and broadcaster Tom Robinson, and recently to local legends Ray Stubbs and His R and B All Stars, who turned the place into a Chicago speakeasy for one night and played the blues.
Looking forward, the 90s legends The Bluetones arrive in January.
As the venue reaches its third birthday, Grahame sends a big thank you to everyone for their support.
Words and photographs by Juan Fitzgerald
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