By Jenny Barwise

Last updated at 12:32, Thursday, 10 January 2013

A huge music concert is being planned as part of last ditch efforts to save Whitehaven’s Civic Hall.

Funding cuts: Whitehaven Civic Hall

Music promoters Mighty Boof have organised a Save The Civic All Dayer for Good Friday and have already spoken to 30 artists and bands about taking part.

They are calling for a show of support and say if the Civic closed there would be no ‘big music venue’ in the town.

The Civic is one a number of venues earmarked for closure as the council aims to save £2.6m by 2015. It is due to decide which ones could go in mid-February.

“What we need is a show of support, a push to make it more profitable and give it a fighting chance of staying open,” said Josh Shepherd, of Mighty Boof.

“We want artists to come forward and play at the event. We don’t want the council to shut the Civic Hall.

“We want people to come and support the Civic and show the council that there is no point in shutting it.”

Copeland Council’s ruling executive will today discuss the results of a public consultation into the cuts, which earmark the closures.

Around 30 artists and bands have already shown an interest in playing at the gig on Good Friday but organisers want more to come forward.

Mighty Boof will be organising the event free of charge as well as the artists who play. All of the profits made will go towards saving the threatened Civic Hall.

This event follows the success of Boxing Day which saw around 600 people through the doors of the Civic Hall for a day of music.

The closing date for applications is January 25 and can be done through the Facebook page Save The Civic All Dayer.

Around 200 people responded to a questionnaire into the biggest budget cuts Copeland has seen for decades.

The proposals also include closing Whitehaven Tourist Information Centre, public toilets, cancelling Christmas lights, as well as stopping some doorstep recycling.

Sellafield is poised to step in and save the threatened Beacon Museum in the town.

The company and Copeland Council are exploring ways of how they can work together, possibly introducing a Story of Sellafield flagship visitor attraction. Financial and legal issues surrounding the potential deal are still being ironed out with bosses keen to move things forward early this year.

First published at 10:28, Thursday, 10 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk