Orton Market Hall is set to be given a £40,000 makeover thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.
It means the hall can be transformed into a warm, comfortable venue and continue to provide a facility for the whole of the community to use, said Helen Wearmouth, chairwoman of trustees.
“This is the culmination of eight months’ work, which included extensive research and project planning by the trustees, obtaining quotes for refurbishment and submitting a bid to the National Lottery Community Fund,” she said.
The grant will be spent on two main upgrade and refurbishment projects — insulation and the kitchen. The main hall will be insulated before being redecorated in light colours to make a bright meeting space, while the old kitchen will be removed and replaced with a modern catering kitchen, insulated and redecorated.
“This is phase one of our plans, which the trustees hope to complete towards the end of the summer,” said Helen. Phase two will involve the installation of a new heating system, once the efficiency of the new insulation has been assessed.
There will also be a new entrance to the supper room.
The hall is at present used by many organisations and individuals for activities such as yoga, Pilates, band practice, religious services, national park authority meetings, wildlife trust meetings and local theatre groups, as well as dementia-friendly activities, self-help groups and much more.
Helen added: “The lottery grant bid included clarifying ownership of the hall, undertaking an energy audit, preparing for an asbestos audit, setting up budgets, outlining our land and buildings project, updating our safeguarding policy and preparing an access plan.”
Support was given to the Orton Market Hall trustees by Cumbria ACTion and the National Lottery.
Anybody interested in joining the committee can email helenwearmouth12@gmail.com
“We are particularly looking for a new treasurer and a secretary,” added Helen.
