A COUNCILLOR is leading the charge to ensure the Coronation Hall is preserved for future generations.

South Lakeland district councillor Janette Jenkinson has donated £800 from a district fund towards a proposed refurbishment of the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.

More than three decades have passed since the hall last saw work, leaving some parts of it in need of attention.

Cllr Jenkinson said: "I'm a director of the Coronation Hall and I do know that we want to refurbish it."

As a district councillor Cllr Jenkinson has access to the member locality budget.

Each of the 51 councillors on the district council have access to £1,000 every year. This fund is made available for councillors to direct towards worthwhile community projects in their wards.

She continued: "The money has to be spent within the community and it is very much a community venture. I'm hoping it will pump-prime people who are interested in the Coro."

That interest is what Cllr Jenkinson is trying to retain by proposing this refurbishment.

She identified the hall as one of the key attractions of the town, and wants to ensure it remains so for years to come.

She said: "There is a lot of interest in the hall and we want people to come through the door.

"At the moment it's looking a bit tired."

Cllr Jenkinson has been joined by other local officials who support the proposed work at the hall.

Ulverston town councillor Judith Pickthall said: "I think the initial proposal is that we're going to be looking for sponsorship. It will cost a lot of money."

Cllr Pickthall continued: "We're going to take our time with it. We're going to get it done properly and make sure that it lasts just as long as the last redecoration - which was 30 years ago."

The foyer and staircase of the Coronation Hall have been chosen as the focal point of the renovation. The councillors believe their renovation will give people visiting the hall the best first impression possible.

In the past three years Cllr Jenkinson has used her member locality budget to pay towards the restoration of Ulverston’s war memorial and paying for a new flag at the Coronation Hall.

Cllr Jenkinson said: "This initiative gives members the opportunity to support their community with small amounts of money which can pump-prime larger funds or make such a difference to their projects.’’

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