A once-derelict venue in Lincoln is now thriving with live music and community events
Lincoln: Picture this place, The Drill, once a vibrant venue now overrun by pigeons and dust. Nick Pettit, the director at Lincoln College, walked in back in 2021 and was hit with a wave of nostalgia and sadness. It was like stepping into a time capsule, with old teacups and unfinished drinks scattered around.
He couldn’t believe how neglected it had become. It felt like everyone just up and left one day. But instead of giving up, he made a promise to revive this beloved spot, which had seen legends like The Rolling Stones grace its stage.
Fast forward three years, and wow, what a turnaround! Major bands like The Libertines are back, and local talent is getting their shot too. Just recently, The Drill snagged an award for its support of grassroots music, which is pretty impressive.
Originally, this place was struggling and closed down in 2020 after losing funding. But Lincoln College saw potential and took over. Nick was tasked with leading the renovation, which was no small feat. The building had been sitting empty for months, and it needed a lot of love.
They spent months just figuring out what needed fixing. First on the list? Making sure it was safe and getting rid of all the pigeon mess. Once that was sorted, they could finally start the real work.
At first, the idea was to use it mainly for student events. But as they started hosting bigger gigs, it became clear that they needed a proper team to run the place. So, they shifted gears and focused on live music, which turned out to be a hit.
Now, The Drill is all about live gigs, club nights, and even karaoke. It’s become a hotspot for acts like The Hunna and The Rills, and it’s starting to put Lincoln on the map for touring bands.
Experts believe this could really boost tourism in the area. The more acts they bring in, the more people will visit Lincoln. It’s a win-win, especially for students who get hands-on experience in the industry.
Who would’ve thought a place once filled with pigeons could become such a vibrant part of the community?
