A West Cumbrian village hall is set to be redeveloped.
Yew Tree Hall is Grade II-listed and has been used as the village hall in the heart of Lorton, near Cockermouth, since 1909.
It was a a former malting barn built by the Jennings family in the late 1820s.
Cockermouth based WK Design Architects have been formally appointed for a feasibility study to explore redevelopment options.
Yew Tree Hall management committee and Lorton Parish Council have embraced the challenge of improving the hall and have formed a joint working group to explore development options.
They said the hall was well loved and used by the local community but is in need of a major overhaul.
Modernisation is required in particular to improve the accessibility, energy efficiency and sustainability of the building. The aim is to create a community facility fit for the future and accessible to all.
The group said that generous donations from members of the community, as well as funding support from both the Yew Tree Hall Management Committee and Lorton Parish Council, mean that a major milestone of the project has been reached.
WK Design Architects has been appointed to start work on design options which will explore the feasibility of some of the ideas generated.
“It’s great to see so many people engaged and enthusiastic about such a fabulous project,” said Cal Williamson, of WK Design Architects.
Adam Baker, chair of Yew Tree Hall Management Committee, said: “The level of support received from the local community is incredible and we are absolutely delighted to be able to appoint WK Design Architects to take this forward so quickly.
“With the community behind us, we have every confidence that the project will succeed.
“We plan to launch our new fundraising initiative, Friends of Yew Tree Hall, to help us achieve our vision and involve the whole community.”
