Business is booming at a hub for local music enthusiasts a year after it moved from its old base next to Keighley Railway Station.

The Musicians’ Centre is thriving in its larger premises at the Corner House in Russell Street, so much so it now plans to expand even further by renovating extra rooms in the building.

Occupying the former Keighley Labour Exchange building, the centre is run by sister and brother team Marie Harris and Michael Watmough. The pair poured all their savings into the project to transform what had previously been a derelict property.

Marie said: “We’ve been here for 16 months now and the number of music lessons we hold has increased substantially.

“We must have nearly 600 students every week. The ukulele orchestra has about 17 members and is growing all the time.

“We’re talking about building some extra rooms to meet the additional demand. There’s still scope for further development in the building as it’s four times bigger than where we used to be.

“Our sales side has also done very well, and we’re now doing musical instrument, speaker and PA system repairs.”

Marie added being based next to the Keighley Exchange Arts Centre venue was very convenient for helping musicians take the step up towards performing in public.

The centre will again be holding the popular Battle of the Bands event in October, which provides aspiring musicians with a chance to experience what it is like to perform on stage.

Michael said: “We like to do as much as we can to support the local music scene and, of course, that helps us out as well.”