BLACKPOOL MUSIC ACADEMY C.I.C.

In January 2006 Blackpool Music Academy first opened its doors at the Springfield Methodist Church on Bispham Road. Under the tutelage of retired college teacher, Jim Lomas, the academy soon grew from 22 students to 50 students in 6 months. Private tutor and music shop owner Steven Austin also a music examiner came on board to help as the demand increased. In 2007 the academy became a registered company Blackpool Music Academy Community Interest Company Ltd by Guarantee Within a year, John decided that he wanted to enrol younger students to gain the benefits of his group sessions. He recruited Tom Vernon as a specialist tutor for students aged 7-16 years of age and attracted over 80 youngsters for his affordable musical classes. By 2009, Phil Roberts had come on board and was putting the younger students through examinations to gain the Rock School qualification. A year later he was joined by Julie Jackson to look after the accounts and general administration. Tragedy struck in May 2011 when Phil died of leukaemia. Such was Phil’s dedication to the academy, he was still teaching his students two days up to his death. Always looking to improve and develop, John decided to relocate the BMACIC to its own premises and with the help of Roy White and the social enterprise loan fund, took possession of a former insurance brokers on Waterloo Road in South Shore. On the back of this overwhelming support from the local business community, the Blackpool Music Academy CIC opened its doors at the Waterloo Road site in June 2012. Included in the academy`s building is a conference room with projector, stair lift, disabled toilet and Phil’s Coffee Shop, dedicated to the BMS’s deceased former tutor who helped so much in making the school the success that it is today.