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About Us

The Kirkgate Centre is an entertainment and cultural venue at the heart of the lively community of Cockermouth, Cumbria.

We celebrate our local talent and heritage, and bring top quality professional entertainment to

our town and many other communities across the area to the west of the Lake District National Park.

Whether you enjoy films on a big screen, live music, theatre, exhibitions, shows for children and families or community events, Kirkgate has something for everyone. Our quirky character makes us a special venue for weddings, parties, festivals and conferences.

Our mission:

“Creative talent is valued, developed, and supported with opportunities for all to actively engage with and enjoy the arts, our local heritage and community life”

Our values:

Commitment – Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to delivering our mission.

Inclusion – We aim to make art, heritage, and culture accessible to all our communities.

Sustainability – We aim to ensure that the organisation is secure for future generations from both financial and environmental perspective.

Nurturing – We aim to provide an environment that encourages growth, development of skills confidence and enjoyment for all.

WHAT’S ON

Heritage Talk: Wool Stories

9th March 2026 6:00pm (Doors open at 5:30 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Local History

Living in Cumbria, we are surrounded by sheep, but how often do we actually think about them or their impact on history. They are entwined with our story, having brought us warmth, food and income. They have changed our landscape, made our country rich in the Middle Ages and played a key role in the Industrial Revolution. Becks has been ...

Blue Moon (15)

9th March 2026 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

Richard Linklater's Blue Moon tells the story of legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (best known as the lyricist half of the successful songwriting team of Rodgers and Hart) bravely facing the future as his professional and private life unravel at the opening night party for his ex-partner’s, Rodger’s, hit show Oklahoma! By the time this night is over, Hart will have ...

Blue Moon (15)

11th March 2026 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

Richard Linklater's Blue Moon tells the story of legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (best known as the lyricist half of the successful songwriting team of Rodgers and Hart) bravely facing the future as his professional and private life unravel at the opening night party for his ex-partner’s, Rodger’s, hit show Oklahoma! By the time this night is over, Hart will have ...

It Was Just an Accident (12A)

13th March 2026 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

What begins as a minor accident sets in motion a series of escalating consequences. An unassuming mechanic is reminded of his time in an Iranian prison when he encounters a man he suspects to be his sadistic jailhouse captor. Panicked, he rounds up a few of his fellow ex-prisoners to confirm the man's identity. Any semblance of a bemusing road-trip ...
Testimonials

I remember fondly our time at the Kirkgate a couple of years ago, the warm and intimate atmosphere and the friendly welcome.

Kiki Dee

 The Kirkgate is my ideal venue. Intimate and warm, staffed by passionate folks who really care about The Arts and about their local community. It has a beating heart, even more so due to the eager enthusiastic volunteers who help run it.

Snake Davis

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cockermouth and had a great evening at the Kirkgate, the venue and staff were fantastic. We look forward to returning sometime in the future.

Kevin Morris & Dr Feelgood