Efforts are being made to secure the long-term future of a South Cumbrian theatre – with proposals for a 99-year lease having been put forward.
Council officers have advised that completion of the recommended lease agreement regarding Ulverston’s Coronation Hall be backed up by the award of a £79,000 grant for improving the site.
The proposals are to be scrutinised by South Lakeland District Council’s cabinet tomorrow.
In March 2021, a short-term extension for the lease of the Coro was granted to the Ulverston Coronation Hall Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which was established by cross-sector, not-for-profit organisation Ulverston Community Enterprises for the purpose of running the theatre in County Square.
A report produced ahead of the council meeting advises the cabinet to, in addition to the £79,000 grant and subject to agreement of the 99-year lease, award a further grant of £150,000 to support both the Coronation Hall and the markets in Ulverston in acknowledgement of the time lost due to the pandemic and the support required to bring the assets to a point at which they are financially viable.
After signing of the lease, SLDC is also set to undertake a procurement exercise and subsequent contract award’ for the replacement of the lift at the Coro.
A total of £65,000 was outlined for this purpose in the budget approved by full council in February.
The pre-cabinet report outlines the potential impact of not entering into a long-term lease for the Coronation Hall.
“SLDC would have the premises returned and would need to determine whether to operate a service from the Coronation Hall, seek a new tenant or consider disposal of the freehold,” says the report.
“This option is not recommended as it would not enable the benefits which can be achieved through local management and investment to be realised.
“It would prevent the option of enabling a local community solution to be developed further.
“If, in the future, the proposed long-term lease proves unworkable, this option would need to be reconsidered.”
Tomorrow’s cabinet meeting is to take place at South Lakeland House in Kendal.
