WHEN two friends became frustrated by the lack of opportunities for young bands to perform in Worcester they decided to tackle the problem head on.

Daniel Kepinski, aged 22, and Adam Shipley, 21, set up their Worcester-based company Shot In The Dark promotions at the beginning of the year.

Along with Mr Kepinski’s partner Shanni, 23, the company organises gigs for bands of all ages, open to audience members as young as 14.

At the beginning of the year, both men were in bands and the company was set up to help them get slots in the local music circuit.

The pair, who met through mutual friends, were approached by a number of younger bands who also wanted to get involved and play local gigs.

Mr Kepinski, a former Blessed Edward pupil, said: “When I was younger, me and a few friends were in a band, but we never got a break.

“It was always the older bands that got chosen for the shows. Now when younger bands come to us, we haven’t just shunted them off, we give them a chance. We just want to help the local music scene, it’s quite community based.”

The company also attracts a young audience, which it encourages in order to keep them safe and off the streets.

Mr Kepinski said: “There isn’t anywhere now where young people aged 14 upwards can go – they cannot go out drinking but they want to go out and do things.

“When I was that age, a lot of the gigs I wanted to go to you had to be 16 or go with a parent, but my mum was a single parent.

“She couldn’t take me because she had to look after my sister.

“There used to be a club in Worcester which was open for youths to see live music and bands, but when the owner left a few years ago nothing like that remained here so we found a niche.”

The company has hosted events in both the Marrs Bar in Pierpoint Street and the Mixer Bar in Broad Street. Mr Kepinski said: “The Mixer Bar absolutely loved it, it was a lot better than they thought it would be.

“There was no-one upstairs listening to the DJ, everyone was downstairs listening to the band.”

But they are now based at Room 13, formerly Butler’s Gym, in Farrier Street. The venue, which officially opens on Friday, October 29, will offer a range of activities from tai chi to art classes, as well as live music performances.

Although people of all ages will be able to attend the gigs, Mr Kepinski said parents can rest assured their children will not be getting up to no good.

He said: “It’s a really safe environment where youngsters can come to burn off loads of energy.

“It’s a relaxed atmosphere, no one is going to judge them and there’s loads going on. The venue is trying to reach out to kids.”

Although there will be a licensed bar at the venue, Mr Kepinski said everyone will be given a wristband on entry – red for adults, green for youths – which will then regulate who can drink at the bar.

If the wristbands are removed, they cannot be put back on and anyone without a wristband will not be served regardless of their age.

Shot in the Dark host its first gig at Room 13 on November 10.

For more information about the company, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/sitdpromotions.

For details on Room 13, visit facebook.com/Room13.worcs.