Abbey Road in London, Real World in Box and now Unit2 in Stroud.
Musicians and entrepreneurs Cameron McMillan and Eddie Evans are hoping their new venture at the Salmon Springs business park will put Stroud on the UK musical map.
Cameron has taken over a 2,000 sq ft commercial unit on the popular Painswick Road estate in a deal brokered by Julian Capewell at Bruton Knowles.
The experienced musician, music tutor and qualified sound engineer is putting the finishing touches to an ambitious project to convert the unit into a major recording studio and rehearsal space.
Cameron, who grew up in Stroud but honed his musical career during extended spells in Brighton and Oxford, has returned to his home town with the aim of establishing Unit2 as one of the leading musical hubs in the area.
“It’s been a 24 hour a day labour of love converting the building into a bespoke music studio complete with soundproofed drum rooms, relaxing breakout tutorial rooms and plenty of floor space to turn up and jam or put on a small scale performance.
“Anybody with an interest in music will leave here with everything under their belts from tuition to performance skills – not to mention top class digital recordings and screen ready HD video footage.
“Unit2 will combine a number of business models under one roof giving us something truly unique in this area.”
With major manufacturers such as Roland already on board Cameron will be adding a small retail area, a mezzanine gallery to enable small audiences to watch live performances, as well as a state of the art Midas Digital recording console and a specially commissioned Tee drum kit.
Bands from as far afield as Brighton are already booking rehearsal space for the summer’s major festivals.
Black Peaks will be honing their act at Unit2 ready for their appearance at the Reading and Leeds events.
Julian Capewell from Bruton Knowles said Unit2 was a great fit given the eclectic mix of clients who have taken space at the popular commercial estate.
He said: “It has taken some six months to achieve but the end is in sight with a bespoke floating drum room, teaching rooms a rehearsal floor and an elevated control room. Refurbished almost entirely of reclaimed materials, Cam has achieved a great deal with stunning effect.”
He went on: “It is with the foresight of young entrepreneurs like this that buildings such as these can be given a worthwhile new lease of life and can then embrace the needs and demands of today’s fast moving media businesses.”
