Supporters of a Morecambe concert venue that was under threat of closure last year have been invited to a meeting to discuss a new 'Friends' group.
The Platform faced an uncertain future in 2023 until a U-turn by owners Lancaster City Council who have now decided to remain in charge of the venue and keep it open.
Plans for a new 'Friends' group were unveiled as a way of generating funds for the Platform, which had been costing £150,000 a year for the council to run.
Now people have been invited to a meeting on Wednesday January 31 at the Platform, to talk about how this new group might work.
"We would like to invite you to a meeting at The Platform to present and discuss the exciting opportunity of establishing a Friends group for this much-loved arts and entertainment venue in Morecambe," said a post on The Platform Facebook page on Wednesday.
"The initial meeting will take place at the venue, at 5.30pm on Wednesday 31st of January, and we expect the meeting to last no longer than an hour. Light refreshments such as tea and coffee will also be provided.
"At this meeting, we will discuss the potential purpose of a Friends group, how such a group could operate and what benefits and support such a group could provide to The Platform.
"If you would like to join us, please send an RSVP Including your name and contact telephone number by email to: platformboxoffice@lancaster.gov.uk no later than Wednesday 24th of January."
The potential closure of the Platform was announced in February 2023 as part of £2.4m of council budget cuts.
The council originally planned to stop operating the venue in October 2023, but this was extended to March 2024 after residents rallied against the plans, setting up petitions calling for the former railway station to stay open.
They were in talks with three un-named third-party operators who were interested in taking on the running of the Platform.
But in November 2023, the council said these talks had ended, and they announced they would keep the Platform open and continue running it themselves.
Ideas for a new membership scheme and Friends group to coordinate fundraising activities and grants bids were announced at the time.
The arts venue opened in the former Morecambe Promenade Station building in 1997.
Upcoming events at The Platform this month include an 'Icons of Soul' night, a New Year Viennese Concert by the Promenade Concert Orchestrs and a gig by 80s pop duo Hue and Cry.
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