Raac in centre causing theatre group 'huge problems'

A number of theatre groups used Carlisle Sands Centre's events space

A theatre company said a temporary venue should be built while their performance space is closed to remove dangerous concrete from its roof.

Cumberland Council has appointed a local contractor to design and rebuild the roof at the Sands Centre in Carlisle, where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered last September.

The discovery meant shows, including the Christmas pantomime, had to be cancelled.

The authority said it will not know until the spring how long the performance space will be closed for.

Local theatre group, StagedRight Youth, said Cumberland Council should create a temporary performance space in the city as other places in the country have done.

The group said it has had to reschedule its summer show at a marquee at a local golf club outside Carlisle.

StagedRight Youth Theatre have had to relocate their summer show to a marquee

David McNeill, from StagedRight Youth Theatre, said: “It’s caused us huge problems, when you’re told there’s no venue and you’ve nowhere to perform."

But Cumberland Council said a temporary, alternative venue is not possible.

In a statement, the authority said: "Instead, we encouraged promoters and performance groups to use other local venues.

“Local venues such as the Old Fire Station, Stanwix Theatre and Harraby Theatre have all benefitted from this approach.”