Allerdale Borough Council have provided a grant of £100K to the Kirkgate Arts Centre in Cockermouth to support capital improvements to the building.

The £100k grant will support the Kirkgate Arts Centre to complete improvements including an upgrade to the fire exit to ensure fire safety, replacement gas boilers, replacement of first floor windows and the installation of catering facilities.

The Kirkgate Arts and Heritage Trust who manage the Kirkgate Arts Centre updated its strategy in 2022, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new strategy outlines plans to develop the Kirkgate Centre into a thriving multi-functional cultural hub at the heart of a proposed Kirkgate Creative Quarter in Cockermouth.

The trust also aims to involve a wider range of people in the Centre’s offering, by delivering more programmes, projects and activities that meet the needs of the existing, and future audiences and increase community participation.

Leader of Allerdale Borough Council, Councillor Mike Johnson, said: “I’m delighted to see that the council has been able to support the Kirkgate Centre in repairing and upgrading the building.

“These essential upgrades will undoubtedly contribute towards improving the arts, cultural and heritage offer to our residents and visitors, and will help the Trust in achieving their aim of improving and diversifying the Centre’s offer to existing and future audiences.

“This project is now well underway, so we hope to see swift progress. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact this project has for the people of Cockermouth.”

Treasurer of the Kirkgate Arts and Heritage Trust, David Thomas said: “The money that we have received from Allerdale Borough Council has allowed us to make swift progress on our planned program of improvements to the building.

“This will improve the visitor experience for locals and tourists and help the Trust to meet our aim of providing a space that people love to come to and enjoy the cultural, heritage and community experiences that we offer here.

“We are thrilled that Allerdale has been able to help us in this way.”