A POPULAR arts centre which is due to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year is concerned about its future after being forced to close by the coronavirus.

Kirkgate Arts runs Cockermouth’s Kirkgate Centre, the town's Heritage Group and the Arts Out West scheme which involves many West Cumbrian village halls and community centres.

It has suspended all its services to the public during the coronavirus crisis.

"We host so many large groups at the Kirkgate - the general public, our volunteers, our staff and many other popular community organisations and businesses - that we took the decision even before the lockdown that we needed to close to help keep everyone safe,’ said Marion Bowman, chair of trustees.

Film screenings, music gigs, professional and amateur theatre productions, live-streaming, local history exhibitions and fundraising events due to have been held at the Kirkgate and Arts Out West venues have been postponed.

"Customers who had already bought tickets can claim refunds although we are appealing to people to donate the money instead if they can do that and want to support us. We’re really grateful that so many have," said Marion.

The crisis has raised concerns about the charity’s future.

"We are worried about how easy it will be for us to re-open eventually as our income is taking a hit and, while we’re reducing costs, we were already having to be really careful in managing our overall financial position and cash flow," said Marion.

Kirkgate Arts employs four people working for anything from a few hours a week to, in one case, full-time.

"We are gradually furloughing our brilliant staff as the work they have to do now peters out, even from home. Our volunteers are standing by to help.

"We have to check the Kirkgate Centre regularly for safety and security while out of the house for food shopping or exercise and in line with other guidelines including hand sanitising," said Marion.

"We have a leak from the roof which needs urgent professional attention and can’t leave the building to deterioriate."

The board of trustees is meeting regularly online and via tele-conference to decide on next moves.

"We are in touch with our insurers and are keeping a close eye on the government’s announcements about grants and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme," said Marion.

"The Arts Council, which provides us with some funding, has also made announcements about new schemes that organisations such as ours can apply to. All of that is generating a lot of work, essential if we are to survive this.

"In other crises, such as the floods, Kirkgate Arts has come into its own, bringing people together for uplifting social contact, fun, entertainment and solidarity, but this time we can’t adapt so easily.

"Our natural instincts are to help people cope in the hard times. We would love to be able to fill the Kirkgate with children doing creative activities or bring isolated older people in for an afternoon of tea dancing, but we can’t. So we will use the time to work on plans for re-opening, whenever that may be, and our longer term future."

This year it’s 25 years since the Kirkgate Centre first opened. The charity had been planning a fundraising appeal to mark the anniversary.

"When the doors open again we will celebrate, but we’ll also be asking for lots of support and new ideas to ensure that we can keep on entertaining and serving our communities for at least another quarter century," said Marion.