A crowdfunding campaign to restore the iconic mosaic floor inside Morecambe’s Winter Gardens is a third of the way to its target.
Last month, the Trustees of the building launched a fundraising campaign to raise £45,000 to restore the foyer’s tiles, ceramic floor and features.
So far, the Crowdfunder appeal via Spacehive has raised just under £15,000 of the sum needed.
If the sum is raised, then via the Spacehive scheme, it would be matched by Lancashire County Council’s Sports and Culture Fund.
Now, the Chair of the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust, has issued a rallying cry for more people to donate, with time running out to help support the project.
Related: FEATURE: Morecambe Winter Gardens launch crowdfunder for foyer restoration
‘’We still have to raise the matched funding for the amazing beautiful delicate tiled mosaic floor,’’ said Professor Vanessa Toulmin.
‘’(It) was badly damaged in the 1990s when the building was closed and under different ownership and the damage was heartbreaking. So the good news we are a third through our campaign and have reached 31% of our target.
‘’So friends, colleagues anyone who loves theatre and performance please share, it would be appreciated.
‘’We have 80 days to reach the target.’’
The Winter Gardens have already raised money from The Prince of Wales Charitable Foundation, the Morecambe BID and the new owners of the Midland Hotel the Inn Collective.
Any work to the foyer would have to be complete before the main renovation work to the building, funded by DCMS and Arts Council, can begin, and it is hoped the money can be raised in time to carry out the repairs from October to March 2024.
It’s hoped the floor will be able to be restored through traditional sustainable methods by master craftspeople, to reveal what lies beneath - a magnificent architectural feature that has been covered for a long time.
The Winter Gardens’ forthcoming capital projects will result in the building closing every six months for three years to undergo the major capital works they have received funding for.
All funders & supporters will be invited to be the first members of the public back into the theatre for a preview day to see the work that has been done and to explore the theatre prior to the reopening in Easter 2024.
Supporters can also take in the volunteer days and have a chance to be part of the restoration during the two week volunteer period where our master conservator will explain the process behind the restoration and be part of the cleaning team.
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
