A MUSIC school is remaining optimistic despite experiencing a difficult month since leaving its spiritual home.

Popular charity MuzoAkademy has suffered a 10 per cent drop in membership and had to cancel its annual Halloween showcase after leaving The Rock Barn in Witney Market Square almost four weeks ago.

The group is currently using The Witney Music Rooms on the Eagle Industrial Estate, Church Green, but is still looking for a permanent venue.

MuzoAkademy, which teaches music to almost 150 people of all ages and abilities, cancelled sessions for 10 days during the move, although these have now restarted.

But the impact of the move is still being felt, with the charity cancelling the Halloween show, due to take place on Saturday, just two weeks before the event, after failing to find a venue.

While the academy has settled in at the Music Rooms, Jon Berry, chairman of the 7 C’s foundation which runs MuzoAkademy, admitted the move contributed to the cancelled gig.

He said: “We were very excited about it but getting the venue at the right price and location was extremely difficult and the impact of moving was weighing heavily on the team.

“We like people to be comfortable on stage, but we don’t have access to a stage so the show would be their first performance in that environment and we feel that’s too much for them. That experience is something we’ve always given our members.”

Under the terms of the agreement, MuzoAkademy uses the Music Rooms between 9am and 7pm on weekdays and 10am and 7pm on weekends.

The charity froze recruitment during the change of premises, but with some existing members leaving, membership has fallen 10 per cent during the upheaval.

This has cost the charity around £2-3,000, but Mr Berry revealed it was still struggling to offer the service it provided at The Rock Barn.

He said: “The Music Rooms is a fantastic place in a great location owned by lovely people.

“But at times we’re now operating at capacity and have been forced to start a waiting list for our most popular times.

“We had five or six groups in the Rock Barn but can only fit four at a maximum in Witney Music Rooms.

“We’re juggling it around but trying to bridge the gap.

“Despite the upheaval we’re still going strong.”

The academy has needed a permanent home since West Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee approved plans to demolish The Rock Barn and replace the building with six flats last month.

MuzoAkademy held discussions with the district council and Witney Town Council and several locations across the town were mooted but have not yet come to fruition.

Alongside using The Music Rooms, the academy has struck a deal to store its equipment at Wood Green School.

The charity held three hugely popular gigs to say 'goodbye' to The Rock Barn and the community support has reaffirmed Mr Berry’s belief that MuzoAkademy remains highly valued in Witney.

He said: “We are so thankful to the community who rallied with offers of support and physical labour to help us move.

“We have gained new volunteers and mentors and received several thousand pounds in donations from our three highly successful gigs on the final nights in The Rock Barn.”

Today, campaigners will present an Asset of Community Value application, originally created to save The Rock Barn, at the West Oxfordshire District Council offices.

The academy submitted the application in August and while they can no longer save The Rock Barn, it could help them secure a new home.

Mr Berry said: “We still need more space for performance, events and additional sessions.

"We want to offer even more to be able to keep up with demand, reach new members and retain our low price-high quality provision."