A near £300,000 refurbishment programme at Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre is complete.
An 18-month improvement project, with funding from a range of organisations, has allowed the Kirkgate to substantially upgrade the equipment and facilities at its town centre base – a converted Victorian primary school.
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 shortly 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 (UKSPF), 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.
“This is a significant milestone for the Kirkgate,” said Chief Executive Emma Heys. “The substantial award from Arts Council England to make improvements to our auditorium space, energy efficiency and accessibility was generously match funded by UK 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 (Saturday, May 9), who proved a big hit on their last visit to the centre in 2024.
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 to the centre’s capabilities, broadband provider Fibrus Broadband has agreed to donate £1,928 to the Kirkgate, which will enable it to buy a MacBook Pro, to further boost the quality of the backstage set-up.
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.”
ENDS …..
NOTES TO EDITORS
Kirkgate is a charity based in Cockermouth, Cumbria. It operates an arts and heritage centre as well as working with towns and villages in West Cumbria to encourage a diverse programme of arts, culture and entertainment. Its vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported with opportunities for all to engage actively with, and enjoy, the arts, local heritage and community life.
The Kirkgate Centre brings the best cultural, theatrical and entertainment events to Cumbria. From the best feature and documentary films to live streaming of top London shows, to local talent, heritage exhibitions, music, theatre, comedy and more, there is something for everyone.
In the historic Kirkgate Quarter of the Gem Town of Cockermouth, sitting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, the Kirkgate Centre is the perfect venue for special occasions, conferences, meetings, courses, exhibitions or private film screenings.
Kirkgate manages Arts Out West which stages performances in community venues from Furness to the Solway, ranging from nationally-recognised theatre companies to international musicians with events that are as much a social occasion as a performance. It is a member of the National Rural Touring Forum supported by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation.
Follow @kirkgatearts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
For more information:
Emma Heys 01900 829966 enquiries@thekirkgate.com www.kirkgateartsandheritage.org.uk
The Kirkgate Centre, Kirkgate, Cockermouth, CA13 9PJ