Plans to double capacity of events venue approved

Plans to almost double capacity at a new events venue have been approved.

Cumberland Council applied for an amendment to a planning application for the Carlton on Senhouse Street in Maryport, Cumbria, earlier this year.

Work is already under way to transform the former cinema into a community arts, music and theatre venue.

Initial plans approved two years ago included a 100-seat auditorium on the ground floor, but now permission has been granted to increase the capacity to 180 seats, or 280 standing places.

The amendment would ensure the space was "as flexible as possible for the future", the council said.

Leader of Cumberland Council, councillor Mark Fryer, said he wanted to intervene to save the "landmark building".

"It is bringing this former bank and cinema back to life, preserving a huge piece of Maryport’s history, and is a major part of the wider regeneration of the town," he said.

Work under way

So far, the ground floor of the building has been lowered to create a large performance space, and interior walls have been removed to maximise capacity.

On the upper floors, original windows have been reinstated and roof lights fitted.

Planners wanted the new venue to be "as flexible as possible for the future"

The first floor would be turned into a workshop space for creatives, with rehearsal and sound recording rooms, and the second floor would become additional commercial space, Cumberland Council said.

It added a derelict property next door, which "blighted the high street", had been demolished and would form a new entrance, box office and bar for the venue.

The works are part of a £12m plan to regenerate Maryport which has been funded by the government’s Future High Streets initiative.