With two weeks still to go, a new survey and engagement to explore how events and activities in The Coro can be shaped for the future has received hundreds of responses.
More than 400 people have so far completed on-line and paper copies of a survey and hundreds more have contributed their thoughts and ideas at a series of events, activities and workshops since the engagement launched at the start of September.
A public meeting was held in The Coro 9 September and other activities have included feedback sessions with youth groups, disability groups, a local breastfeeding group, primary schools, a writer’s group, Ulverston Food Project and people attending lantern festival workshops and blood donor sessions.
Visitors to events at the Coro and library users have also been able to complete surveys and add their ideas to a ‘suggestions board’ in the venue.
The team has also been out-and-about gathering views on a stall at Ulverston Market, where artist and illustrator Mollie Ray used her skills to capture people’s ideas in a comic art display, and the Routes Bus Bar was parked outside The Coro for the recent sold-out Planet Mirth comedy night, inviting audience-members and passing members of the public to pop-in, find out more and contribute suggestions.
The next stop for the engagement team will be this weekend’s Apple Day in Ford Park (4 October), where you will be able to learn more and get involved.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, Westmorland and Furness Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said: “The survey doesn’t close until the middle of October so there’s still plenty of time to have your say. We are keen to hear from as many people as possible to really understand how people want The Coro to be shaped and developed going forward.
“We’re investing a significant amount of money in The Coro and it will be undergoing a programme of refurbishment to ensure it remains a vibrant, inspirational venue at the heart of Ulverston’s cultural and community life.
“This is about working closely with the community to explore how that investment can be best utilised to meet people’s needs and aspirations.’’
In September 2024, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet made the decision to permanently re-locate the Ulverston Library in The Coro, which is owned and operated by the council.
As part of that decision, Cabinet committed to work closely with the community to explore how The Coro’s role as a home for arts, culture and community services and activities could be developed alongside the new library provision.
The council has already identified an initial estimated £2million investment along with £500,000 from the Borderlands Place Programme, but now there is an opportunity to secure even more funding for The Coro project, with potential additional funding of up to £3.2million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF), subject to a successful application.
If secured, this additional funding would enable a more ambitious re-development programme to be realised. In addition to housing the library, this could enable The Coro to further expand its arts, culture and community offer.
The council now wants to hear from all residents, Coro users, community representatives and other key stakeholders about what they want from The Coro to help co-create that future vision.
A link to the online survey, along with more information and answers to frequently asked questions, is live on The Coro’s website and copies of the survey and more information is available in The Coro.
Alongside the engagement events and activities, ‘visioning’ workshops have been organised with several key stakeholders, including arts and cultural organisations, businesses, Ulverston Town Council, Town Team and voluntary sector groups and information and surveys are being provided to Coro users and residents’ organisations.