The restoration of Sleeping Beauty’s Morecambe Winter Gardens is targeted for completion in 2027.
This Grade II listed building was built in 1897 and hosted a variety of world-class artists, from Elgar to the Rolling Stones, until it closed in 1977 and work began on new infrastructure projects.
Project manager Place Capital Group (PCG) and lead architect Mr Buttress have set a 2027 target for completion of work on site.
In April 2023, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund awarded £2.3 million to Morecambe Winter Gardens Conservation Trust for this project.
New restoration work has now begun to improve the facilities and increase the music venue’s capacity from 1,000 to 1,600 people.
Mr Buttress was appointed to carry out a feasibility study to secure funding, as well as a conservation plan, survey and master plan for the building’s future.
The building’s old electrical system will be rewired and accessible elevators, AV and lighting equipment will be added. The funding will also go toward the acoustic shell of the building’s flytower.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin
The ultimate goal is to invest more money and turn Morecambe Winter Gardens into a 2,300-capacity music venue within three years.
The next steps to realize this ambition include a further planning application to be submitted in spring 2024 for a two-storey extension.
Depending on the plan, the tentative on-site start date is fall 2024.
Stephen Anderson, director of Buttress, said: “We are excited to see further progress in the restoration of this historic venue, which is so important to the people of Morecambe. We will continue to work with the Trust and its partners to support them through the planning process and ensure that the groundbreaking We will provide a unique venue.”
Professor Vanessa Toulmin from the University of Sheffield, Chair of the Trust, said: The building is at the heart of Morecambe’s regeneration.
“Buttress has a great architect and our project manager, Place Capital Group, has been a great support to us.”
Eleanor Binns, Project Director at PCG, said: “We are looking forward to delivering this infrastructure plan. This is a journey to re-create this wonderful space for the trust and ultimately for the local community. It’s part of the.”