People are being asked to help shape the future of the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.
Westmorland & Furness Council said it had the chance to secure up to £3.2m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to allow it to develop an ambitious future for the venue.
It had already identified £2m of its own investment and £500,000 from the Borderlands Place programme for the plans.
Last year, the council agreed to permanently relocate Ulverston Library to the hall, known as The Coro, after its Kings Road premises was closed when issues were found with its electrics.
The authority said as part of its decision, it committed to working closely with the community to explore exactly how the services and activities programme would develop at The Coro and turn this into reality.
It added: “In addition to housing the library, this could enable the venue to further develop its role as a cultural venue and community hub.”
The council said it wanted to hear from all residents, Coro users, community representatives and others to help shape the future of The Coro.
People can fill out a form online at https://www.thecoro.co.uk/news/the-future-of-the-coro/
On Saturday, September 6, copies of the survey and more information will be available on a stand in the foyer in The Coro during Ulverston Charter Day celebrations.
And an information stand and copies of the survey will be available in The Coro until mid-October.
A public event will be held in The Coro on Tuesday, September 9 from 7pm and will include a presentation about the opportunities to develop the venue and a chance to ask questions.
There will also be
- A stall on Ulverston Market on Saturday September 13
- A drop-in stand at Booths supermarket on Thursday September 25
- A drop-in in the town centre on the evening of Thursday October 9 to capture the views of people using the night-time economy
Workshops are also being held with community groups, arts and cultural organisations, businesses, the town council, Town Team, young people and the voluntary sector.
Information and surveys are also being provided to Coro users, disability groups and residents’ organisations.
A social enterprise which managed the Coro handed it back to the council in 2023.
Ulverston Community Enterprise the difficult decision had been made due to the upheaval and financial impact of the pandemic – including loss of key staff and systems – followed by drastically rising costs and inflation, changes in audience and hirer behaviour, recruitment difficulties, and a tough landscape for arts and culture funding.
It said it found itself faced with an uncertain future.
