A Wing, the disused prison,

About the event

Most famed old castle of the North, time-honoured, old and grey,
Where John O’ Gaunt for ever reigns a monarch of the day!
Where men of trade in thousands flock, when troubles are combined,
And who, like hunted hare or fox, a hiding place would find!
Where poor insolvent debtors seek a cure for all their woes;
And where both honest men and rogues do pay their friends and foes.
The Insolvent Debtor: A Lay of Lancaster Castle
Anon 1861

Lancaster was, in the mid nineteenth century, the largest Debtors Prison outside of London. Unlike the Marshalsea and many others, however, it seems that conditions in Lancaster were relatively good. Mid century, the prison was known as Hansbrow’s Hotel, after the governor at that time, which is a good indication that life, at least for the Master Debtor, was tolerable. Tales of fairs, mock elections and concerts abound. Etchings, done by a man who was himself incarcerated in Lancaster Castle for debt, show well-appointed rooms, complete with servants, fires and what seems to be a plentiful supply of food and drink. There were rules for the good behaviour of inmates, as well as social clubs with well-thought-out constitutions – there even seems to have been a savings club at one time.

Until March 2011 parts of Lancaster Castle were still used as a category C prison, and it is in this very area that we introduce A-Wing. An intimate capacity, two floor venue in which we will be hosting a series of events across 2014. Relatively untouched since the departure of the final inmate, join us in A-Wing to experience not only your first time in a prison, but what we understand to be one of the only venues like it in Europe.

Equipped throughout with Funktion-1, A-Wing is more than your usual nightlife experience

Why should you sponsor?

Chris Glaba

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