The next steps for the future of Ulverston’s Coronation Hall will be shared next week.
Westmorland & Furness Council asked people for their opinions about what should happen with the venue, known as the Coro last month.
A second public meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 21, to provide initial feedback from the engagement and outline the next steps in the process.
It is being held at the Coro, which is owned by the council, between 7pm and 9pm.
The authority said it would be an opportunity to hear about some of the key themes emerging from the engagement and want will happen next with a National Heritage Lottery Fund application.
Westmorland and Furness Council said its community teams went to great lengths to include the views of as many people as possible.
Workshops were held with several key stakeholders, including arts and cultural organisations, businesses, Ulverston Town Council, town team and voluntary sector groups and information and surveys were provided to Coro users and residents’ organisations.
A market stall was set up in the town centre to gather views and a double decker bus bar was parked outside The Coro to capture the opinions of people attending a sold-out comedy night.
There was a suggestions board in the Coro foyer and the team spoke to schools, youth and community groups from blood donors to a local food project.
In September 2024, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet made the decision to permanently relocate the Ulverston Library in the Coro.
The cabinet committed to work closely with the community to explore how The Coro’s role as a home for arts, culture and community services and activities could be developed alongside the new library provision.
The council has identified an initial estimated £2 million investment along with £500,000 from the Borderlands Place Programme, but now there is an opportunity to secure even more funding for The Coro project, with potential additional funding of up to £3.2million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, subject to a successful application.
A spokesman for Westmorland and Furness Council said: “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.
“The council is committed to working closely with the community to really understand how people want The Coro to be shaped and developed going forward and it has been great to see so many people contributing their thoughts and ideas.”
