New arts hub appoints its first chief executive

Jess Vollar Bell says she is excited about her new role

A major regeneration project on a former industrial building in Loughborough has appointed its first chief executive officer.

The Generator Hall, in Packe Street, Loughborough, which was built in the 1930s, is being transformed into a new arts and cultural centre.

Jess Vollar Bell, 32, a trained actor and theatre manager, has taken charge of The Generator Loughborough CIC, a community interest company managed by volunteers.

Ms Vollar Bell, originally from Loughborough, said the venue will host exhibitions, live music performances, theatre and comedy, as well as being hired out for weddings and parties, when it opens to the public in the autumn.

The 1930s art deco generating station is being redeveloped into an arts venue

Construction work on The Generator began in April 2024.

Ms Bell, grew up in Loughborough, but left the town to pursue a career in acting.

She later discovered a passion for venue management and worked in London for 10 years, most recently as the venue and theatre manager at The Tower Theatre.

"I've been in London for a long time, I've ran venues, I've produced events and nights," she said.

"To be able to come home and bring all of that experience and knowledge and to give it back to my community here is really important to me."

The main hall inside the venue will accommodate up to 250 people

The Generator Hall was used to house the generators that kept Loughborough College running.

It was one of the original Loughborough University sites and formerly home to the Loughborough College of Art and Design, but it was declared 'surplus to requirements' in 2013.

Volunteers started efforts to acquire the building and in June 2015, when The Generator Loughborough CIC was formalised, they began to apply for funding.

The group has raised more than £3m in funding for the project, through donations from members of the public and from other fundraising sources including, Loughborough Town Deal, Arts Council England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Generator Hall first opened in Loughborough in 1937

Ms Vollar Bell said: "Most people in town will have a connection to the building. I'm really, really excited about that."

"It's not just about being accessible, it's about being welcoming and that's a key really part of what I intend to bring here. It's for the people of Loughborough."