Rhod Gilbert’s performance in Carlisle has been postponed until October after it was announced that the Sands Centre auditorium would reopen in Autumn 2025.

Following a detailed structural assessment of the roof last year by specialist engineers, a recommendation was put forward to replace the RAAC panels in the auditorium roof.

The assessment of the roof was undertaken following the change in the previous government’s guidance on the use of RAAC in buildings.

A weeklong run of Shrek the musical was cancelled with only hours to spare, and scores of touring shows and performances have been cancelled over the past year including the annual pantomime.

Cumberland Council is aiming to have the roof works completed by late spring 2025.

Internal improvements will then be completed over the summer followed by a new full programme of events starting in autumn 2025.

Rhod Gilbert was initially coming to Carlisle during the first week of June and tickets for that performance had been available to purchase throughout the closure of the venue.

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Since the announcement that the venue would reopen in Autumn, ticket holders have been informed that the date has been changed to October 9 meaning it could be one of the first shows back at the venue since September 2023.

GLL have now said that they are working to bring “large-scale shows, gigs and events” to the Sands Centre from Autumn next year.

The new main Sands Centre building’s leisure provision is unaffected by the auditorium closure.