The chair of a Friends group set up to help the Platform in Morecambe says the venue is "going from strength to strength".
David Morgan was speaking ahead of an event to mark the first anniversary of the Friends of the Platform Morecambe (FOTM).
The group was set up in 2024 as an independent charity to promote and preserve the venue and building, which had been under threat of closure the previous year.
Mr Morgan and Sue Saunders, the Friends' honorary secretary, said the future was now looking bright for the former railway station-turned live music and arts venue.
LISTEN to David Morgan and Sue Saunders talking about the Friends of the Platform
The Platform is owned, operated, and managed by Lancaster City Council.
The Friends aim to work alongside the management team to guarantee the future of the Grade II listed building by obtaining external funding for improvements and enhancements.
"We are here to help and work with the team here, and I've got to say we've got a fantastic team here, led by Tara Stapleton," said Mr Morgan.
"We want the Platform to be making money. That's the brief we were given in the first place.
"We've now managed to build ourselves up to 200 members, we've managed to launch our loyalty and reward scheme, where they can get free tickets and discounts at the bar.
"We've raised over £7000 in the first year with fundraising events. We've got a collaboration with CancerCare where we are holding joint events. We think we've done quite well.
"The venue itself seems to be going from strength to strength. Everybody is enjoying what's going on and it's very vibrant here.
"All the reports that we've seen, are that the city council are very pleased with the figures."
Mr Morgan said that the use of leading ticket vendor Ticketmaster, who became the venue's exclusive ticketing partner earlier this year, has made a big difference.
"We've increased ticket sales," he said.
"I know there have been some comments about one or two shows being cancelled, but they've been cancelled by the acts themselves.
"Because of the ticketing system we have now, we are attracting people from around the country. People are finding shows through the ticketing system.
"We are getting a wider range of audience now and that is bringing money into the area.
"There's a great atmosphere, there are some fantastic shows here.
"There's a lot of vibrancy in Morecambe at the moment. It's a fantastic place to be and I genuinely feel that the future for Morecambe is very very bright."
The Platform also has a box office where you can book tickets for shows in person, open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 4pm.
Beyond Radio attended a show at the venue starring pop singer Paul Young (below) in April, which sold out.
Read more: Pop legend Paul Young strikes iconic Eric Morecambe pose ahead of gig - Beyond Radio
Upcoming events at the Platform include a free gig by Toploader, famed for their hit 'Dancing in the Moonlight', as part of Morecambe Music Festival, on the evening of Friday July 11. Admission will be on a first come, first served basis.
Other shows to look out for include a Blues Brothers and The Commitments tribute on August 1, Spandau Ballet's Steve Norman on April 2 2026, Huey Morgan from the Fun Lovin' Criminals on April 8 2026, upcoming tributes to Jimi Hendrix, the Foo Fighters, Abba, Guns n Roses, The Specials, Depeche Mode and more by the end of 2025, as well as appearances by Lindisfarne, The Houghton Weavers and comedians Gary Delaney and Clinton Baptiste (below).
The Beat, featuring Ranking Junior, supported by local ska band The Reggie Mental Band, is on December 5.
Regular events include DJ Steve Middlesbrough's Radio Morecambe disco on a Tuesday afternoon, and jive and salsa dance classes on a Thursday.
Details of ticketed events can be found HERE.
*Commemorative plaques will be unveiled on Monday July 7 celebrating the history of Morecambe's former railway station building - now home to the Platform.
Graham Liver, presenter from BBC Radio Lancashire, will unveil the two plaques, donated by the Friends.
The first is a heritage plaque commemorating the opening of the iconic Marine Road building – built in an Elizabethan Gothic style – in 1907.
The second is an information plaque detailing the general history of the building from being an important railway destination from when Morecambe was affectionately known as ‘Bradford-on-Sea’, to its transition to the entertainment and events venue it is today.
And here is a sneak peek!
The unveiling, at the entrance to the building, will be at 5.30pm.
Afterwards, the Friends will hold their first Annual General Meeting inside the building at 6pm.
All members of FOTPM are welcome as well as other members of the community, or users of the building, who might be interested.
Read more: Plaques will celebrate Morecambe railway station turned music venue - Beyond Radio
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