Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC is proud to announce the launch of its first Youth Grassroots Music Showcase at the newly established, professionally equipped 200-capacity Fiery Bird Live Music Venue in Woking town centre on Saturday 15 August 6-10pm

Last year introduced by MVT we contributed to the CoSTAR National Lab Research on "The Future of Grass Roots Live Music" with Royal Holloway University, taking part in interviews and one of the 16 organisations who took part in the workshops held in Stroud. Here is a link to the report has just been released.

As we signed to extend our lease for another two years in Woking we were delighted to find out that we had been awarded Best Community Arts & Cultural Space 2026 - Surrey

We launched Woking Roots: Ground Up. Live. on 18 July with our Urban Festival Day. In the tradition of Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC, the day brought together a wide variety of free activities, provided by our team and by local practitioners who contribute so much to Woking’s cultural and wellbeing offer.

This year, we welcomed 16 school and college students for work experience at Phoenix Cultural Centre and Fiery Bird.

Their placements covered every aspect of running a community-led organisation and live music venue: researching community business models, non-profits and community-led initiatives; training alongside our sound and lighting engineers; setting up stages; cleaning and maintenance; marketing and design; assessing band applications; and contributing to our university research pilot.

Woking’s Phoenix Cultural Centre Celebrates New Lease to 2028 with Free Urban Festival & Open Day 9 Jul

Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC is proud to be part of a new place-based grassroots pilot supporting young people in Surrey who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

We Are Staying Until 2028
Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC commits to Woking’s cultural future with extended lease

Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC has secured Arts Council England Supporting Grassroots Music

funding for a new programme celebrating diverse music traditions, collaboration, and

accessibility improvements including a stage lift and accessible toilets.

During a recent work experience placement, local resident and aspiring musician Famke spent time behind the scenes at The Fiery Bird and Phoenix Cultural Centre. Experiencing the venue from this perspective offered insight into both the challenges and the potential of grassroots cultural spaces in Woking. The reflection shares her personal observations on community, creativity, and why spaces like ours deserve greater awareness and support.

We were recently treated to a member of our community sharing a poem written about us. Hear more from Lauren about her poetry and why she believes we are more than just a venue. 

Phoenix Cultural Centre Rises Again

In the true tradition of its namesake mythical bird, Phoenix Cultural Centre in Woking has had a last-minute reprieve as building owners EcoWorld stepped in to support them until the end of their lease in July 2026.

Woking’s Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC Winners of Education and Training Awards 2025 by Corporate Vision Magazine.

The community founded non profit was awarded ‘Leading Advocate of Community Led Regeneration’ & ‘Best Culture & Arts Workshop & Exhibition Space’ 2025 for South East England.

I had to send this to our groups, charities who use our space last week. Now we have told them we can share to our wider community. We’ve also reassured bookings in place they will be honoured. In fact, add more! Fill the place as much as possible. Do what we can, with what we have, for as long as we can.

Hear how one of our amazing volunteers, Isla, came to be involved with the Phoenix Cultural Centre and the significant impact that young people have had on shaping and enriching the venue’s community spirit.

Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC is proudly featured in an important exhibition launched at the Houses of Parliament on 1 September - the Museum of Broken Dreams.

Amidst our break in, last week we also got to celebrate our nomination for the King's Award for Voluntary Service. We were nominated by @SurreyMinorityEthnicForum a great charity who do incredible work for inclusion and opportunity for its 40+ member groups in Surrey.

Celebrating Woking’s young people! We are so inspired by the work ethic and creativity of the young people of Woking who volunteer, gain skills and have brilliant ideas.

Sadly, another break in today. All our doors and some windows were smashed.

It is with sadness, regret and frustration that we announce the Phoenix Cultural Centre and Fiery Bird venue will close at the end of 2025.

Due to a combination of challenges — including losing major funding at the start of this building due to business rates issues having ongoing impact,