Gig venue reopens after fire and asbestos work

An events and wedding venue has reopened almost three months after it shut suddenly over safety concerns.

Cumberland Council confirmed events can resume at Whitehaven Civic Hall as work to address fire safety and asbestos had been completed.

The council, which owns the building's freehold, said it decided to shut the venue at the start of May after fire management problems, including a faulty alarm, were identified.

Separately, the Health and Safety Executive issued an enforcement notice around the same time after an inspection showed the venue had "failed to prepare an adequate written plan" for how it would manage the risk from asbestos likely to be present on the premises.

The Labour-led authority said it had decided to address the asbestos concerns while the venue was closed.

A council spokesperson said: "Taking the decision to temporarily close the venue wasn't one we made lightly but keeping staff, tenants and members of the public safe was our top priority."

The Lowther Street venue is leased to the Rosehill Youth Theatre trust, which operates it and its main events space, The Solway Hall.

Events scheduled include a K-pop tribute concert on Friday and Beyonce and Oasis tribute acts, Reyonce and Oasish, in the coming months.

The council said the future of the venue would be considered as part of work to develop a masterplan for Whitehaven, a strategy to improve the town.

The authority's spokesperson said: "With the safety improvements now complete, we'd like to encourage Cumberland's residents to support the venue and the events planned there over the coming weeks and months."

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