How would you like to help shape The Coro for the future, to ensure it remains a vibrant, inspirational venue at the heart of Ulverston’s cultural and community life?
A new survey and community engagement is being launched to explore how events and activities in The Coro, which is owned and operated by Westmorland and Furness Council, can be shaped for the future.
In September 2024, the council’s Cabinet made the decision to permanently re-locate the Ulverston Library in The Coro.
As part of the decision in September 2024, 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.
An online survey, along with more information and answers to frequently asked questions, is live on The Coro’s website and this Saturday, 6 September, copies of the survey and more information will be available on a stand in the foyer in The Coro during Ulverston Charter Day celebrations.
An information stand and copies of the survey will be available in The Coro throughout the six-week engagement period up to mid-October.
A public event is being held in The Coro on Tuesday, 9 September, starting at 7pm, to include a presentation about the opportunities to develop the venue and a chance to ask questions.
The engagement team will also be gathering views at other times and locations, including:
- Stall on Ulverston Market on Saturday, 13 September
- Drop-in stand at Booths supermarket on Thursday, 25 September
- Special ‘bus drop-in’ in the town centre on the evening of Thursday, 9 October, to capture the views of people using the night-time economy
‘Visioning’ workshops are being organised with several community groups and key stakeholders, including arts and cultural organisations, businesses, the town council, Town Team, young people and the voluntary sector and information and surveys are being provided to Coro users, disability groups and residents’ organisations.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, Westmorland and Furness Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible to really understand how people want The Coro to be shaped and developed going forward.
“Our team will be in The Coro on Saturday and I will be joining key council officers for the public meeting next Tuesday, which is a great opportunity for everyone to find out more, have their say and ask questions, and everyone is warmly invited.
“We are at a pivotal stage in the Coro’s history and whatever happens, The Coro will be benefitting from significant investment and undergoing a programme of refurbishment.
“With the potential further investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we also want to explore what could be achieved if we were to be successful with that application, allowing us to think more ambitiously about the exciting opportunities that extra funding could offer to further develop The Coro’s arts, cultural and community offer.
“Our emphasis in this engagement is on listening to the community, its residents, its organisations and its representatives, as well as Coro users and visitors, so that we can genuinely co-create a shared vision for The Coro based on need and insight.
“Over the next six weeks will be reaching out to all corners of the community, capturing the views of as many people as possible and we are determined that any outcomes reflect these conversations to ensure The Coro’s future really is shaped for and by the people of Ulverston, its residents, its organisations and representatives and for visitors coming into the town from farther afield.’’
For more information about the engagement activities and events, a link to the online survey, background to the programme and answers to frequently asked questions, visit The Coro website