New manager says Making Rooms can make ideas come to life

Blackburn’s creative technology hub, The Making Rooms, has appointed a new manager.

Tom Macpherson-Pope will be part of a team running workshops at the new facility and engaging with businesses and the public to help them make the most of the equipment.

The Making Rooms, which opened last month, is a three story facility that boasts one of the country’s biggest and best equipped Fab Labs (Fabrication Laboratory) where residents can use digital manufacturing machinery such as laser cutters and 3D printers to develop products, artwork or bespoke designs.

In addition, the Exchange Street building has a coffee bar and an exhibition space along with two floors of workspaces that will be used as incubators for start-ups, training or meeting rooms, and artist studios.

Tom, a 26-year old Computer Science graduate, is no stranger to Fab Labs having volunteered at the Manchester one for the last six years.

He also has been working in a technology start-up business developing educational electronics for the past four years. They include accessories for the popular Raspberry Pi computer such as the PiFace range and CodeBug, an engaging device for teaching children how to code and play with electronics.

In addition, Tom has had experience with online crowdfunding, including a Kickstarter campaign for a clip together photo frame designed to waste as little material as possible.

He said: “Fab Labs are such an amazing way to learn new skills and meet interesting like-minded people, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be involved in the direction of a fledging lab in a new community.”

He added: “We’re living in a time where anyone can make their ideas come to life, with crowd funding sites allowing people with a great idea and a lot of determination, to develop their own products and found start-up companies. Places like Making Rooms and Fab Labs are the first steps on this journey.”

The Making Rooms is funded by Arts Council England, Blackburn with Darwen Council and the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership LEP.

For a full list of workshops and details on how to become a member visit www.makingrooms.org