Cinema revamp ongoing despite rising costs

Having previously had a facelift, The Roxy's interior is currently being worked on

The group behind the revamp of a historic cinema said it was sticking with the makeover despite rising costs.

After languishing on the market for some time, The Roxy in Ulverston was bought by a group of volunteers in 2023, who sought funding to save it from possible demolition.

After fixing its leaky roof and neglected facade, restoration of its interior is well under way thanks to a £500,000 lifeline received earlier this year from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal (BIGD).

However, Shelley Garnett, director and secretary of The Roxy Collective CIC, said that because of inflation, "it still remains to be seen if we can achieve everything we want".

"We're currently busy rewiring and working on the heating, lighting and ventilation, as well as opening up the previously split art deco foyer," Ms Garnett said, adding that the aim was to create a "welcoming community hub".

"It's been two years since we put together our funding costs, in which time things have gone up considerably," she said.

"So we're having to spend with that in mind and not be frivolous.

"But the funding lasts until 2027 and, hopefully, by that time the majority of work will have been done."

How the Roxy looked a few years ago

Also home to a Laurel and Hardy museum, a gym and an independent film and TV company, the Roxy is just one of many regeneration schemes in Cumbria to benefit from BIGD money.

Formally signed by the UK and Scottish governments in 2021, BIGD is a 10-year regional investment programme which aims to provide a boost of up to £350m to the economies of the Borderlands area.

Other projects include improvement works in Egremont, including overhauls of the middle of the town and its Florence Arts Centre and a makeover of Carlisle railway station.

There is also a £78m plan to turn the Citadels complex in Carlisle into a new campus for the University of Cumbria.

In a recent statement, the university said demolition work was due to start this autumn, while building work is expected to begin next spring.

The new campus is due to open for the 2027-28 academic year.

BIGD director Rick O'Farrell said things were "progressing extremely well" across Cumbria.

"Community-led regeneration can take time, but things up here are definitely at the sharp end," he said.