People are being invited to have their say on the future of the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.
Westmorland & Furness Council launched a survey last month asking for people to share their thoughts on how events and activities could be shaped at the venue in years to come.
Over 400 people have now completed online and paper copies of the survey as well as sharing views in person – but there are still two weeks left for people to get involved.
The survey followed the council announcing it had the chance to secure up to £3.2m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to allow it to develop the space.
The council 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 events, services and activities programme could be developed at The Coro alongside its library provision.
Various public meetings and feedback sessions have taken place since last month on the survey and plans.
A public meeting was held in The Coro on Tuesday 9 September and other activities included feedback sessions with youth groups, disability groups, a local breastfeeding group, primary schools, a writer’s group, Ulverston Food Project as well as people attending lantern festival workshops and blood donor sessions.
Visitors to events at the Coro and library users have also been able to complete surveys and add their ideas to a suggestions board in the venue.
The team has also gathered views on a stall at Ulverston Market, where artist and illustrator Mollie Ray captured people’s ideas in a comic art display.
The Routes Bus Bar was also parked outside The Coro for the recent sold-out Planet Mirth comedy night, inviting audience-members and passing members of the public to pop-in and contribute suggestions.
The council’s engagement team will be at this weekend’s Apple Day in Ford Park.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, Westmorland and Furness cabinet member for communities, customer services, culture and communications, said: “The survey doesn’t close until the middle of October so there’s still plenty of time to have your say.
“We are keen to hear from as many people as possible to really understand how people want The Coro to be shaped and developed going forward.
“We’re investing a significant amount of money in The Coro and it will be undergoing a programme of refurbishment to ensure it remains a vibrant, inspirational venue at the heart of Ulverston’s cultural and community life.
“This is about working closely with the community to explore how that investment can be best utilised to meet people’s needs and aspirations.’’
The council still wants to hear from all residents, Coro users, community representatives and other key stakeholders about what they want from The Coro.
People can fill out a form online at https://www.thecoro.co.uk/news/the-future-of-the-coro/
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.
