where we've been

The Generator: Stories & Memories

The Generator: Stories & Memories An oral history project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Stories & Memories project captures the voices, recollections and experiences of those who studied, worked and created in the historic Packe Street building over the decades. Through these personal stories, we are preserving the building’s rich creative legacy while sharing it with new generations as The Generator begins its next chapter as a vibrant community arts venue. With thanks to Institute Loughborough for their continued generous support and for providing the filming location. Click on any picture below to read or watch the full interview

017 Chris McIntyre

017 Chris McIntyre

Turning the Power Back On by Accident: Chris McIntyre on the Generator's First Life as a Gallery

Chris McIntyre arrived at Loughborough in 1980 as a part-time art history lecturer and rose, over seventeen years, to Vice-Principal, before going on to become inaugural Dean of Art and Design at the University of Hertfordshire. Long before the current renovation, he was part of the small group who first turned the derelict generator hall into an informal exhibition space, complete with a near-miss involving live switchgear and a scattered pool of mercury.

Interview date: 05.12.2025

Read More