Scorpion Studios, Lincoln, opened for business in 2004. ATM graduate Alex Wells is the brains behind the rehearsal space.

With two fully equipped practice rooms, which can be used for drama and teaching as well as band rehearsals, the studios are attracting a range of users.

The studios have even won the approval of the Lord Mayor, who officially opened the new enterprise.

Alex told Rewind 'I have a slight disability in my hand and I was going to job interviews and being refused because of it. I was starting to feel down but then I signed onto New Deal for Musicians and they told me the sky was the limit and that I could start a business of my own.'

Alex was initially interested in opening a live music venue. She spent two years researching possible buildings however found that, as she was under twenty five, she was not eligible for a license. Undeterred, she spent a further six months putting together an application for funding for the rehearsal studios. This was put to a governing board including representatives from the Princess Trust and Lincolnshire Development who approved it.

The local media have been very supportive of the venture, Alex told us.

'The papers in Lincoln have run articles, as did the Job Centre Plus magazine. The local radio show also gave us a mention, so there’s been some good publicity. A local music shop puts one of my flyers into each bag they give out to customers, which is brilliant of them! A few of the shop workers now rehearse at the studios too!'

Since the studios opened they have proved so popular that Alex recently expanded and opened a recording studio with fellow ex-ATM student, Matt Chapman.