A £300,000 revamp of a West Cumbrian arts centre is now complete.
The 18-month project at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre has allowed it to upgrade equipment and facilities.
To mark the event, representatives from one of the major funders, the Benny Walker Charitable Trust, have been invited along to a near-sellout concert to view the results of their support.
A £220,000 grant from Arts Council England allowed the Kirkgate to upgrade the stage lights and air circulation in its main auditorium to more energy efficient versions, offering a more comfortable environment for performers and audiences.
With other funding awarded through last year’s round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a lift was refurbished for customers with reduced mobility, and for moving equipment.
Additional funding from a subsequent round of the same source helped provide an accessible WC on the centre’s first floor.
Chief executive Emma Heys said: “This is a significant milestone for the Kirkgate.
“The substantial award from Arts Council England to make improvements to our auditorium space, energy efficiency and accessibility was generously match funded by the Government and The Benny Walker Foundation.
“This has enabled us to upgrade all the lighting around the building, giving us modern, energy efficient lighting throughout.
“I particularly love the new spotlights in our downstairs bar! The flexibility that they provide gives us crisp and bright lighting for exhibitions, as well as subtle mood lighting for more intimate events and parties.
“We’re very much looking to welcoming our guests from the Benny Walker Charitable Trust and showing them what they’ve helped deliver. We hope they’ll agree that it’s been money well spent!”
Representatives of the trust will attend next week’s concert by acclaimed Joni Mitchell tribute act This Flight Tonight on May 9.
Further grants totalling more than £40,000 enabled the Kirkgate to streamline and improve its sound production system for a wide range of performances.
An additional grant of £39,129 from the UKSPF, which includes the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and is managed by Cumberland Council, allowed the Kirkgate to buy and install new equipment including speakers, amplifiers, audio mixer and radio mics at the refurbished auditorium.
And, in a further boost, broadband provider Fibrus Broadband has agreed to donate £1,928 to the Kirkgate, which will enable it to buy a MacBook Pro.
Emma added: “We’re incredibly grateful to all the funders who’ve played such a significant role in helping us bring the facilities within our much-loved but very old building up to 21st century standards and contribute to a bright future.”
