A PHOTOGRAPHY exhibition that captures a snapshot of Birkenhead throughout 2021 launches on Friday, October 1.

Memories Of The Near Future, put together by photographer Robin Clewley, charts the development of the building at 75 Argyle Street that now houses Future Yard.

“From pretty much the moment we got in to 75 Argyle Street, Robin has been there with us with his camera in hand, documenting the comings and goings as we’ve shaped a former nightclub into what Future Yard is now,” said Future Yard co-founder Craig Pennington.

“The building has come a long way since the club @75 last shut its doors – and this exhibition allows you to chart its progress, as you sit in midst of the bustling venue, bar and artist space that it has become.”

The 350-capacity space originally opened in early 2020 with a pledge to bring some of today’s most exciting national and international artists to Wirral, while at the same time providing key early performance opportunities for emerging local musicians.

Sadly, the Covid-19 pandemic meant the venue was forced to close almost immediately until its reopening this summer.

Craig added: “Since then we’ve had live shows with socially-distanced audiences, live-streamed shows with no audience and full-capacity events that saw Future Yard crank into full gear, albeit 12 months delayed because of the pandemic.

“We’ve painted the front of the building three times, built a garden with an outside stage and converted the basement into a space for artist studios. Robin has been there throughout all of these landmark moments, capturing the memories in his pictures; and perhaps more importantly, the people creating those memories.

“Some of our favourite images from the time Robin has been capturing them are of the small details: the scribbled notes on the walls, an abandoned chair, the signs. All of them point to a past that sits deep in the fabric of the building, of which Future Yard is but the latest story.

“The exhibition is free to see – just come in on any day we’re open. There’ll be prints of some of the shots available to buy, and keep an eye out for announcements of talks or specific events over the coming weeks. The exhibition will be hanging until at least the end of 2021.”

n Visit futureyard.org and anyone interested in hosting an exhibition at Future Yard can email enquiries@futureyard.org