Bookings honoured as council takes over hall

The council said it had a budget in place to run the venue until March 2025 and was considering its long-term future

A council has pledged all bookings made for 2024 at a struggling community and arts hub will go ahead, after it took over management of the venue.

The finances of Coronation Hall in Ulverston were "decimated" during the Covid pandemic and never recovered, exacerbated by rising costs and recruitment difficulties.

Westmorland and Furness has now taken over the running of the much-loved venue, known as The Coro, and has dedicated a budget to maintain the centre until March 2025.

A spokeswoman said it was aware a change in management caused "uncertainty", but said the council was "committed" to the venue.

'Causing uncertainty'

The authority confirmed all bookings for meetings, craft sessions and events made in 2024 would go ahead.

Ulverston Community Enterprises (UCE), and its subsidiary Ulverston Coronation Hall (UCH), handed over management to the council on 1 January.

The venue, which has been closed for maintenance work, will reopen on 8 January.

Councillor Virginia Taylor, the council’s cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, said: "I realise that the change in management is causing uncertainty, but I can say absolutely that we recognise the importance of The Coro to Ulverston.

"The Coro benefits the town centre, the community, the arts and tourism.

"Our ambitions are to maintain, protect and enhance the its role in south Cumbria’s arts and cultural scene, and to develop it as a place for everyone in the community to use."

She added that the council was "extremely grateful" to volunteers and previous management board members for keeping the venue running.

The council said a pop-up library at the venue will also continue.

It said it was considering its options over the venue's use in the longer term.