Civic Opens New First Floor

A new first floor development at Whitehaven Civic Hall has now been officially opened, after a busy couple of months since opening to the public in September.  The building, managed by North Country Leisure Copeland in partnership with Copeland Borough Council, was already a popular arts and entertainment venue and now offers even more opportunities for the people of Whitehaven.

The first floor had been largely redundant over recent years, due to limited access for customers with disabilities and DDA compliance.  Thanks to funding from the landfill communities funds of Waste Recycling Group Ltd, administered by WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental), the Copeland Community Fund, Copeland Borough Council and North Country Leisure Copeland, plans were put into action to improve community access including a lift to the first floor and associated works to the rest of the building.

Work included refurbishment of the first floor rooms including kitchen and toilet areas to create two new multi purpose spaces, the Ennerdale Studio and the Eskdale Studio along with a central meeting, conferencing and performance area called The Sca Fell Lounge. 

The new studios and lounge have already held live acoustic shows from high profile acts such as Tom Hingley from the Inspiral Carpets, Chris Helme from The Seahorses and James Walsh from Starsailor – all sell out events with fabulous reviews.  The local Business Against Crime Awards have also taken place, with Christmas parties, christenings and a weekly meeting from New Arts North demonstrating the diversity of uses for the space.

As well as a venue for coming to watch live entertainment, the Civic has now become a hub for people who want to create and perform their own music.  Managers NCL are in discussions with local music tutors in the area about providing lessons in the first floor rooms, whilst in the new basement studios, Soundwave and other music makers are recording original music which wasn’t available in Whitehaven to this high quality until now.

North Country Leisure Copeland board member Cllr Hugh Branney said, “We wanted the new first floor to be a community space which could widely used by local people and I’m thrilled as a representative of both Copeland Borough Council and NCL Copeland who worked jointly on this project, that this objective is already coming to fruition.  Activities such as the monthly free family film club and workshops bring families together and the new lift access will improve accessibility for people with reduced mobility.”

North Country Leisure Copeland Chairman Peter Johnstone was also a member of the original sub group, who put the project in motion after discussing options for developing the Civic.  “Without the funding support from WREN, the Copeland Community Fund and close partnership working with Copeland Borough Council, the first floor works would not have been possible. 

The development is being launched under a new brand entitled ‘You Can at the Civic’, aimed to promote the vast array off opportunities and activities on offer.  We hope that the Civic’s busy programme will continue to grow for the benefit of the people of Copeland of all ages.”

Richard Smith, Grant Manager for WREN said “WREN aims to fund projects that make a positive difference to communities. I am delighted that the works at the Civic Hall are completed and am sure that they will transform access and use of this important community building.  I was thrilled to see the completed project and am sure the building will continue to be enjoyed by the people of Whitehaven for many years to come”.

For more information on events or to book space at Whitehaven Civic Hall, call 01946 514960 or email civichall@northcountryleisure.org.uk.  Full events listing at www.civichall.org.uk