Joss helps bring Mama Stone's to life

SOUL singer Joss Stone has proved she does not mind getting her hands mucky – she's got deep down and dirty to help renovate her mother's new city club.

When Joss, 22, was given five days off from her European tour, she decided to jet back to Devon to help redecorate the venue.

Her mother Wendy Joseph, 48, and husband, Jonathan, 42, bought what used to be The Hub, in Mary Arches Street, Exeter, last week and have already started renovation work.

The venue, which will be called Mama Stone's, is set to be opened with a performance from Joss in September.

Joss said she was eagerly awaiting the opening of the venue, which will include a performance stage for live music and a recording studio.

"It's going to be really fun," she said. "Although we have a lot to do in just six weeks. It's going to be a mission, but a good one."

Joss did not mind working on her day off. She said: "I would rather be here helping my family and spending quality time with them, than doing anything else with my time off.

"Physical stuff like painting and stripping walls doesn't really seem like work, because I don't do it every day. It just makes a change."

Although Joss has already recorded her new album Colour Me Free, which is yet to be released by her record label EMI, she plans to use the venue's recording studio.

"I record stuff all the time," she said. "I recorded my last album in the old Mama Stone's, in Wellington, so I think I will be in here a lot."

The decision to buy the venue came after Wendy's Wellington music academy – the original Mama Stone's – was closed following complaints over noise.

Joss is looking forward to her performance at the venue in the autumn. She said: "I am really interested to see what it will be like when it is finished. There will be other acts as well, so it should be fun."