FORTHCOMING shows have been cast into doubt after new regulations regarding building concrete have forced Cumberland Council to close the Sands Centre auditorium.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was initially found in the auditorium roof in 2019 and had since been ‘monitored’ by local authorities - but a change in government legislation last month has led the council to close the auditorium just hours before a week-long run of Shrek the Musical was due to begin.

The new main Sands Centre building - which includes the pools, gym, sports halls, café, bars and restaurant - is unaffected.

Raac has hit the headlines over the past week after the concrete was hundreds of schools across the country, including Cockermouth School, delaying start-of-term plans.

The leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, has said that the fault of the closure remains with the government.

“We've been managing the Raac since 2019, but there's a change in legislation last week and we couldn't meet the requirements that are put in place by the government," he said.

“It's just ridiculous really so the fault remains with the government.

“You've seen the pantomime that's unfolded over the last few days where one minister doesn't know whether it's her fault or whether it's the Chancellor's fault or the Prime Minister's fault.

“It's just a total pantomime and we're going to be cast as the pantomime villain for closing the place because people can't get their act together down in Westminster.”

A timeframe for reopening the auditorium has yet to be announced with the financial impact also as yet unknown, with fears that it could reach into the millions of pounds.

Cllr Fryer added: “The decision to temporarily close the events space is a precautionary step and does not impact on the day to day running of the main leisure centre.

“Events planned for the auditorium will unfortunately be cancelled until further notice. GLL, the council’s events and leisure provider, will contact ticket holders.

“This is not a decision that Cumberland Council has taken lightly, and we apologise to anyone who has been impacted."

Labour’s candidate for Carlisle, Julie Minns, has called upon the treasury to shoulder the costs of repairs to buildings to make them safe.

“I welcome the prompt action taken by Cumberland Council to protect visitors and users of The Sands Centre from the risks associated with Raac,” she said.

“[Prime Minister] Rishi Sunak must give urgent assurances that the additional costs of making public buildings safe will be met by the Treasury and not hardworking local council taxpayers who are already struggling due the Tory cost-of-living crisis”.

The Sands Centre box office confirmed to the News & Star that Shrek the Musical had been cancelled, disappointing hundreds of ticket holders across the region and leaving future shows uncertain.

A further update indicated ticket sales for September have been paused.

“I have to apologise on behalf of Cumberland Council for having to implement a policy that they have just dropped on us,” said Cllr Fryer.

“Our people in the estates have done a fantastic job and it's over the next couple of weeks we'll find out about the situation."

RAAC has air bubbles inside it and has a limited lifespan. It was used in roofs, floors and walls between the 1950s and 1990s as a cheaper alternative to standard building concrete.