The old abandoned building has been refurbished by Creative Studios Cumbria, a charity created by Signal Film and Media founders Kerry Kolbe and Loren Slater to provide affordable, high-quality creative spaces for charities and community groups.

The building will be part of the adjoining Cooke’s Studios and will be officially opened by Barrow Borough Mayor Councilor Helen Wall at the launch of the West Coast Photo Festival, the largest digital art festival ever to feature the rugged beauty of the west coast of Cumbria on October 7, 2021 at 6 p.m., an event everyone is welcome to attend.

Hosted by Signal Film and Media, this major festival for Cumbria will take place over two floors, showcasing a new collection of Cumbria-focused west coast works produced by internationally renowned photographers, presented alongside images and films by ‘local artists.

Audiences at the Thursday and Friday launch events and Family Fun Day on Saturday October 9 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. will be the first to experience the newly renovated rooms and see 102 Abbey Road for the first time, as well as to enjoy world-class digital art exhibitions and get creative with workshops for all ages at family events.

The ground floor of the Grade II listed building will house a pop-up café run by the local company Industry Kitchen, as well as a large multi-purpose space that will host events, exhibitions, film screenings and workshops all year round. creative for the community.

The first floor has been given a new lease of life, containing a large exhibition and workshop space and two smaller rooms to host community activities. Fundraising is underway for a second phase of work which will see the return to service of the top floor, the modernization of the facade and the establishment of a permanent café on the ground floor.

Creative Studios Cumbria Co-Director Kerry Kolbe said: “We are delighted to have been given the green light to reopen 102 Abbey Road by Barrow Borough Council and we are delighted to put the space into use – Cooke’s Studios in 104 has been full . for a while and expanding into that extra space means we can cut costs and make the whole business more sustainable, while expanding the offering to the public.

“We want to make it a warm and friendly place where people can come together to take advantage of local creative talents and skills themselves, as well as celebrate the heritage and culture of the region. We hope this new space means more. people than ever can be creative and have fun.

The West Coast Photo Festival kicks off on Thursday October 7 and runs through November 7.