Ulverston arts venue defends cuts after councillor criticism

Coronation Hall in Ulverston, like many other businesses, has had to make cuts and let staff go due to the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

At a recent meeting, Ulverston Town Councillor Pat Jones asked what the venue is going to do to bring back staff in the future, stating that the management had 'made a great mistake on sacking these people. You won’t be able to re-employ them when this is all over.'

Due to the pandemic the hall has had to events due to social distancing rules, a move which also led to job cuts.

Beth Kennedy, director of Ulverston Community Enterprises said that while it was a difficult decision to make cuts in the first place, if they weren't made then, more people would have lost their job at a later date.

She explained that planning is taking place about how the arts venue can move forward and access funding to help it get back on its feet.

She said: "It was a difficult choice to make them redundant, but if we didn’t then we would be having to make even more people redundant later on, as we are running out of money.

"But in terms of reopening in the future – the important thing is we have very little idea of when that will be exactly.

"It’s a different business model for the Coronation hall, as there won’t be a day where suddenly the doors are flung open with a full complement of staff.

"More likely we are planning as best we can in a world where very little is known.

"We will gradually bring in staff and administer each part and then seek further funding. Each step forward needs a robust plan and funding.

"We can’t promise anything but if we reopen then staff can re-apply for their jobs back."

Claire Williams, head of programming and events added: “Arts and culture are fundamentally important to people, now more than ever. So we’re working on finding a way to do something for the community while the building remains closed."