£2.5m work to replace events space roof to begin

The events space at Carlisle's Sands Centre has been closed since last September

A venue which has been closed for a year due to potentially dangerous concrete panels in its roof could welcome back audiences next spring.

Multimillion-pound works at Carlisle's Sands Centre are set to begin next month to remove and replace reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) panels on the auditorium's roof.

The repairs to the site, which is the city's main entertainment venue, have previously been criticised by some councillors as "taking too long".

It is expected to cost Cumberland Council £2.5m to complete the works, which is being funded through its existing capital budgets.

The local authority appointed Carlisle-based contractor Cubby Construction Ltd earlier this year to undertake the work.

Preparatory work will start in September.

Additional internal improvements to the auditorium - including a full replacement of the customer seating and upgrades to the back of house facilities - are also taking place.

Council leader Mark Fryer has praised the latest developments

Raac was first discovered in the auditorium's roof in 2019, but events were postponed last September after a change in government guidance and a detailed structural assessment by specialist engineers.

Following the closure of the auditorium last year, GLL, which manages the venue on the council’s behalf, moved its classical concert programme to the centre's adjacent sports hall.

The closure also meant performances of Shrek The Musical were scrapped, along with other scheduled events, including The Simon & Garfunkel Story and Fastlove: A Tribute to George Michael.

But the day-to-day running of the site's leisure services, including the pools, gym, studios and sports hall, have remained unaffected.

'Can't wait'

Mark Fryer, the Labour leader of Cumberland Council, called the latest developments "fantastic".

He said: "This is essential investment in one of the region’s premier entertainment venues and once completed will see the return of an improved venue for our residents, businesses and visitors."

A spokesman for GLL said it was "excited that the works are now progressing to the construction phase and can't wait to welcome audiences back to the venue in spring 2025".

The Sands Centre received a £27m redevelopment in 2022, with large scale upgrades to its swimming and fitness centre facilities.