Igniting creativity, empowering communities.
what we do
A home for creativity, connection and community in Loughborough
creativity → community
The Generator started as a simple spark of an idea from local people who wanted a place where creativity could truly belong in Loughborough. What began as a dream has grown into a community led arts venue at the heart of the town, offering exhibitions, workshops, live music, performances, nightlife and much more.
who we are
A small but mighty team working hard to bring to life Loughborough's next arts venue
-
Jess is all about bringing people together through creativity and culture. Growing up local to Loughborough, she’s passionate about making The Generator a space that feels open, welcoming, and full of possibility. With a background that stretches from theatre and live performance to nightlife and community events, Jess loves finding new ways to celebrate the arts and give underrepresented voices a platform. At heart, she’s driven by the belief that everyone should have the chance to take part, whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience.
-
Pasha looks after and develops The Generator’s community programme, making sure creativity and culture are accessible to everyone. Born in South Africa and raised in Leicestershire, she’s an artist whose work often brings people together through participatory installations and playful, hands-on experiences. Her passion lies in making the arts welcoming for all, especially marginalised communities and people with special educational needs.
where we've been
The Generator: Stories & Memories
The Generator's remarkable story begins in 1921 when visionary J.F. Driver salvaged electrical equipment from decommissioned WWI U-boats to create Britain's first educational power station on Packe Street, serving as both a working facility and hands-on training ground for Loughborough College students. For nearly four decades, students gained practical experience in electrical generation and distribution through real-time data collection and troubleshooting, until power generation ceased in 1960 when the building connected to the national grid. The building then found new life as an art school until 2011, followed by a period as university storage before being reimagined once again into an Arts and Cultural centre. From wartime salvage to educational powerhouse to artistic venue, The Generator embodies over a century of creative repurposing and community service—a testament to the enduring value of visionary thinking and adaptive reuse.
The Generator: A Century of Creative Repurposing Since 1921
hire a space
At The Generator: Loughborough’s new art and cultural centre
Space hire
We cannot wait to open our doors and start welcoming you into The Generator. Very soon, we will be offering a range of spaces to hire, from cosy studios for workshops and classes to our main hall for larger events and performances.
We are still putting the finishing touches on our hire packages and prices, so the full details are not quite ready yet. Private event hire, including weddings and large celebrations, will begin from 2026. If you would like to register your interest in hiring space, you can drop us a message at info@generatorlboro.org.
Please note that replies may take a little while at the moment while our small team is focused on completing the building. Thank you for bearing with us and for being part of the journey.
connect
We’d love to hear from you
get in touch
We’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form below and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Please note that replies may take a little while to come through at the moment while our small team is focused on completing the building works. You can also reach us through any of the methods below.