Simon Fell MP welcomes new Government funding for Signal Film and Media in Barrow and Furness as part of long-term plan to level up the UK

Simon Fell MP has welcomed new funding from the Conservative Government for Signal Film and Media who will receive £910,000 from the expanded £150 million Community Ownership Fund. 

The Government’s Community Ownership Fund is allowing community groups in Barrow and Furness to take ownership of assets and amenities at risk of being lost, enabling them to run these assets for their community, safeguarding town centres and high streets in order to secure a brighter future for our communities.  

Thanks to this scheme, over 80 more community treasures including historic theatres, pubs and museums will be protected with £33.5 million Government funding, with successful community projects receiving up to £2 million. 

This funding will ensure local people continue to reap the benefits of their valued community assets, preserving them for future generations and securing a brighter future for their area. Museums, pubs, parks and cinemas across the country, including Signal Film and Media here in Barrow and Furness, will be kept alive through the £33.5 million funding package announced today. 

Through the scheme, voluntary and community groups can bid for funding to acquire important assets, including pubs, so they invest in the long-term future of their area and run amenities for the good of the community. 

Commenting, Mr Fell said: 

“I’m absolutely delighted that Signal Film & Media have been awarded over £900,000 by the Government through the Community Ownership Fund. 

“Cooke’s Studio is a beautiful, listed, building that already contains so much and so many people that benefit our community - whether Signal, the Theatre Factory, Furness Multicultural, Free Spirit Dance Academy, or the Sir John Fisher Foundation. 

“I was really glad to bring the Levelling Up Minister to Cooke’s so that he could see just how important this award would be and the difference it will make. 

“This funding will let them take Cooke’s Studio to the next level - opening it up inside and combining the three buildings into one, allowing them to utilise space better, and better serve the community too.” 

Commenting, Jacob Young, Minister for Levelling Up said:    

“We know how much these vital community assets mean to people across the country. They are an important lifeline for people young and old, and they’re the beating heart of our towns, cities and villages.   

“That’s why we’re stepping in to protect them with a major rescue package, so we stop these great establishments closing or being lost forever and ensure that they continue to sit at the heart of our beloved communities.” 

Commenting, Kerry Kolbe, Signal Film and Media Co-Director said:

“We’re extremely grateful for the support we've had from Simon Fell, who has worked with us to secure this nearly £1m investment that would otherwise not be spent in Barrow.

This injection of capital investment will allow us to ‘finish the job’ started with the building’s refurbishment back in 2011.

"When Cooke’s Studios first opened less than one-third of the internal footprint in the huge building was renovated. We’ve slowly worked to improve the internal spaces  but lots if it is still not refurbished or fit for purpose. Entry is by buzzer and each tenant runs their own self-contained space behind closed doors. Currently access is by appointment only other than when exhibitions are on for 15 weeks per year. 

“This funding will unlock the building's true potential by delivering essential renovations to bring multiple disused and underutilised spaces into use. We’ll be able to massively increase our visitor and participant numbers by opening the building’s doors 50 instead of 15 weeks per year, with a new entrance, year-round manned reception, visitor information point, community cafe and a high-quality year-round Cultural & Heritage Programme; and bringing new revenue-generation spaces into use.

We are excited to work with partners including The Dock Museum, Barrow NPOs, Cumbria Archives and Furness Multicultural Forum to put on activities in these new spaces, including a year-round exhibition of the nationally significant Sankey Photography Archive.”