Decide who's next on stage

Mark Milner (left), Mark Smith (right) and Mark Appleton (not on photo) are organising music events, such as a concert by The Christians at Tara Leisure, Shaw.

THE three Marks - Appleton, Smith and Milner - are determined to make a real go of resurrecting the Tara Leisure Centre venue in Shaw back to something like its former glory.

It was earlier in the year when Appleton - who already runs popular Royton pub The Blue Belle - Smith and Milner snapped up the chance to take Tara on, to renovate it considerably and try and make it, once again, one of the premier live music venues in the Oldham area.

Tara is already off to a flying start during continued renovation works, seeing the place packed out for gigs by the Manchester Ska Foundation and ace tribute act, The Jam Restart.

This Saturday the three Marks have secured a major coup by booking 80s favourites The Christians to appear at Tara, but Appleton, Smith and Milner are hoping that this is merely the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

They are keen to throw the Tara doors open to all music fans, and have emphasised that by issuing something of a challenge.

Appleton said: "We've got The Christians coming on this weekend and that's going to be massive for us.

"To bring a band here who meant so much to so many people back in the 80s, means so much.

"Hopefully if we can get a full house for that, we can then start looking at what people want to see here in the future.

"We're just asking for local people to give us some feedback.

"We will try to get anyone on here, whether it's a tribute act, an original band, or an artist that someone might just have fond memories of, maybe from their youth or growing up.

"If there's enough demand, enough people out there to make something work, we'll try our best to get that particular someone here.

"It's small steps at the moment, but this is a huge place and we're just focused on making it the best we can at any given time."

There is undoubtedly huge potential at the Grains Road venue, and plenty of great gigs to look forward to soon, including appearances from Stax of Soul next month, leading Oasis and The Smiths tribute bands, and local indie favourites the Visitors.

Tickets, priced just £10, are still available for The Christians show on Saturday.

Call in at Tara Leisure or The Blue Belle to get yours, or call 01706 841460.

LISTEN to Simon Smedley's exclusive interview with Mark Appleton and Mark Smith by logging on to our Chronicle man's Twitter page - @Smedders1966