Work is progressing on a bid that could secure funding for an even more ambitious redevelopment of Ulverston’s Coronation Hall.
Hundreds of people shared their thoughts, opinions and ideas on how The Coro could be shaped for the future in a consultation last year. Now, Westmorland & Furness Council is finalising a submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Westmorland and Furness Council, which owns and operates venue, has already identified an initial estimated £2 million investment to redevelop The Coro, along with £500,000 from the Borderlands Place Programme.
There is an opportunity to secure even more funding for The Coro project, the authority said, with potential additional funding of up to £3.2million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, subject to a successful application.
The authority said if the bid was successful, it could mean a much bigger redevelopment could be achieved.
The council added: “The feedback from the recent engagement is being used as crucial evidence for the funding bid. Representatives from the National Lottery Heritage Fund have visited The Coro to discuss the bid and the final submission is due to be sent next month.”
Westmorland and Furness Council said it had continued to work closely with the community as it refines the NLHF bid submission.
A community working group, including key community stakeholders such as the town council and representatives of local businesses and disability, community and arts and cultural organisations, is working with the council project team to help draw up the final submission, to ensure the application can really evidence community input and support.
Following submission of the bid, next steps will involve the appointment of architects, who will engage with the community as they finalise concept designs for an extensive remodelling of The Coro if the bid is successful, while at the same time also looking at designs for what could be achieved within the already agreed budget if the bid is unsuccessful.
