THE owner of a well-loved entertainment venue in Carlisle has opened up on its emotional return.

The Old Fire Station in Peter Street welcomed people back on Sunday, September 12, with a night of Leonard Cohen music played by Bird on the Wire.

It wasn’t just music that returning fans of the popular venue were treated to again, as Thursday evening saw comedian George Egg putting on a performance.

The return of the venue even moved some people to tears, according managing director of the Old Fire Station, Will Morgan.

“They have both been amazing,” said Will.

"When the band finished on Sunday and people started coming out of the doors back into the bar, the first people coming out were crying.

"Tears were running down their faces and I thought something tragic had happened.

"I asked if everyone was okay, and they said it was amazing to be back in a venue with people, experiencing live music.

"Listening to a piece of music is great, but when you're listening to it in a room with hundreds of other people it becomes that shared experience. No one has been able to do anything for 18 months, so to have that was such a release for people and it was amazing to see.

"It shows you what it means for people to be with others and have those shared experiences.

"Last night at the comedy gig, it was a similar thing. People were just absolutely joyous. For two hours people weren't having to think about anything else.

"It's a great time to be able to open and help everybody."

Greystone Leisure Ltd, owned by Will and Maxine Morgan won the tender to lease the Old Fire Station in August after Carlisle City Council advertised the letting opportunity earlier in the year.

People who knew the venue expressed concern over its future when it was announced in May that it would not be reopening once Covid-19 restrictions eased after a deal could not be reached between Carlisle City Council and the proposed operators at the time.

Now that it has opened its doors once again, a degree of positivity has returned.

Will, who knew the Old Fire Station well before taking it over, added: "[It] would have been such a loss to the city because there isn't anything else like it.

"It had been sat empty for 18 months, so there was a lot to do to get it back up to scratch again and get all the acts booked in.

"The first gig was Sunday and now we have got a packed schedule."

Will said he is looking forward to the future of the venue, adding that people can expect a number of gigs, showcasing local talent; comedy acts; theatre and fortnightly exhibitions featuring local artists once their upstairs gallery is open next month.

He said: "It's a real arts, cultural and entertainments centre for the city.

"It's an iconic building and it clearly means so much to people. Since we re-opened, the number of heart-felt messages is very humbling.

"For me, it was a mixture of not wanting this place to close and to have the opportunity to own and run a venue like this in my home city.

"To be able to help shape the culture and entertainment landscape in the city is a fabulous once in a lifetime opportunity."

For more information on events at the Old Fire Station, visit their website at www.ofscarlisle.co.uk.