The Sound Lounge speaks on nerves, excitement, and preparation after one week of reopening their new venue. 

Founders of The Sound Lounge Hannah and Keiron share their experience of returning to the high street after entertainment was put to a halt due to the pandemic. 

The Sound Lounge not only provides a place for music fans to relax but, also several schemes to benefit the community as well as tasty food in both Merton and Sutton. 

On April 12, both the venues partially reopened for outdoor dining, which has been well-anticipated for Sutton after a stressful journey during the pandemic. 

The arts venue opened its doors for its official music launch on December 12 but was soon faced with closure after the Prime Minister announced the third lockdown. 

MORE: Sound Lounge speaks on first live event after industry hardship

Despite a number of obstacles, The Sound Lounge continued to find ways to serve the community and most recently cooked over 100 meals for some of Sutton's most vulnerable young people. 

Speaking about the reopening, Co-founder Hannah White said: "It has been so busy. People are very happy to be sharing food, drink, and time together again, despite some colder evenings. 

"We were nervous about re-opening because almost as soon as we opened in December we had to close again- honestly, we were all worried about whether we could actually do the job.

"We also had pre-opening nerves about not having any customers," she said.

"It's a big thing for an independent like us to take on such a large, high street location so that anxiety was very real. However, it's been incredible.

"People have been so positive and supportive of what we are trying to do.
"The feedback on the general vibe, the food and on the record store (Union Music) has been phenomenal.

"Local people are overwhelmingly telling us that this is exactly what the high street has needed for so long which is wonderful to hear."

Speaking about partnering with Time Out Youth Project at Sutton Life Centre, she added: "In our first week we also made 120 meals for young people in the borough aged 5 -19yrs living with food insecurity.

"So, it has been a huge task for our kitchen to manage customer orders as well as the free lunches. But the team has been amazing, and we did it!"

The Sound Lounge are planning to set up their community garden which was delayed due to coronavirus restrictions. 

MORE: Setbacks with community garden 

Hannah and Kieron are also preparing the launch for their community programme of food workshops, junior jams, and music sessions for young people without access to instruments or lessons. 

The team will also offer free hot drinks and activities for residents suffering from social isolation and plan to organise music, Makaton and movement sessions for pre-schoolers and their carers.

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"We will also be launching AQA barista and sound engineering training for people suffering from disadvantage," added Hannah. 

"We also have some community events including a women's theatre event co-curated by Sutton Women's Centre on 27th June and we are working on pulling together jazz afternoons for Sundays when we make our vegan Sunday roast."

Music lovers can expect an array of events and performances from May 20.

The Sound Lounge has already confirmed that they have live music events booked for almost every weekend right through to October. 

If you would like to participate in any of the above workshops, or would like to volunteer, contact info@thesoundlounge.org.uk.

For more information visit here.