Work is starting this week to replace windows at a Cockermouth arts venue – at a cost of £17,000.
The Kirkgate Centre will see 13 of its large ground floor windows replaced by local firm Thomas Armstrong, thanks to funding from the National Lottery, Hadfield Trust and Lord Egremont, of Cockermouth Castle.
The windows had to be custom-made because the centre sits in the town’s Conservation Area.
Emma Heys, general manager, said: “During the lockdowns of the past two years we have been working hard to improve our Victorian building, which is heavily used by film-goers, music fans, community groups and local businesses.”
The windows are in the centre’s Egremont Room, used as a bar, café, exercise studio, rehearsal room, business meeting room, private party venue and for the activities of a wide range of many other local organisations.
It was named after the current Lord Egremont’s late mother, who supported the building’s conversion from the disused All Saints’ School in 1995.
“We still need to find £6,000 to complete the budget,” said Emma. “Any donations to find the last £6,000 would be very gratefully received. Our new look is a great investment in making the Egremont Room, which we hire out, even more attractive to local groups and companies. It is an important source of revenue for us and so its upkeep is crucial to our survival as a community resource.
“It is our ambition to make the Kirkgate the venue of choice for people looking to hire a space for a special event or regular activity in Cockermouth. We’ve recently welcomed Osprey Cheerleading Academy on Tuesday afternoons and evenings as our newest users, joining long-standing customers such as the U3A’s Alte Musik group that meets every Tuesday morning.”
The new windows are the most recent upgrade at the Kirkgate. Emma added: “We’re delighted so many groups and funders keep giving us their vote of confidence. The Kirkgate is an essential part of the community and we want to do a good job for everyone who comes through our doors.”
