New Rock and Blues Bar to “bring real music back to life”

Colin Jones - Rochdale Rock and Blues Bar owner

A devoted musician who says he wants to bring real music back to life is setting up a new venue to serve just that purpose.

Colin Jones has pulled out all the stops to ensure his Rochdale Rock and Blues Bar will attract the many local music lovers who, he says, still need to travel out of town for a decent venue. The news has already been music to the ears of local bands who have been using the space to practice and are looking forward to playing locally.

Colin bought the space at Moss Mill, Woodbine Street East because the interior was “screaming to be a music venue”.

He said: “The second I walked into the room I just knew what had to be done. It was just a venue. I’ve been a musician all my life, and it’s all I could see when I got there. It became my project and my passion, and I know there are so many people in Rochdale who would love to have this type of venue again."

Colin bought the space with compensation awarded after a motorbike accident - he says is happy to have put the money to good use.

Before the official launch of the Rochdale Rock and Blues Bar in April, he has been letting bands use the space for practicing.

He added: “This is about real music. It’s about delivering real music and making real music. It has been lacking in Rochdale for a long time, even though there is so much local talent out there.

“At the moment the place is pretty multi-purpose. One minute it’s a video suite, the next a band rehearsal studio, and soon the rock and blues bar will be in full swing too. We already have the stage, mirrors, PA system and dance floor, I think it really has scope to be a high quality, popular venue. I just need to get it on the radar.”

Colin bought the space when it was still a dance school, but says that eventually the plans fell apart and he was left scratching he head about what to do with the area.

He added: “Then it just hit me, it was a perfect idea. The place will take 250 people easily so there is scope for large gigs. I’m very determined. I don’t like starting something that I can’t finish. I will make this work.”

The official opening for Rochdale Rock and Blues Bar is on Sunday 17 April at 7.00pm.