GLUSBURN’S historic theatre and community centre has launched a £125,000 appeal to upgrade facilities for disabled people.

Glusburn Institute Community and Arts Centre hopes to improve access for wheelchair users and other people with reduced mobility.

The Institute hosts a popular annual pantomime, regular concerts by well-known names, and activities involving a host of local groups.

Volunteers who run the grade 2 listed building say this is one of their biggest projects to date.

A spokesman said: “The building does not lend itself to major structural changes due to its listing, however,with sympathetic alterations to the internal layout, the installation of a large lift and new accessible toilets, those with reduced mobility and wheelchair wouldhave access to practically all rooms and spaces.

“This ambitious but achievable plan will take place in two phases.”

Firstly, an entire staircase will be removed to make way for a 15-person lift, accessible toilets, and level access to the old chapel area on the first floor.

Phase two will include further works to improve accessibility from the ground floor, along with improvements to the entrance, office area and auditorium stage to make them wheelchair-friendly.

The spokesman said: “We have architect plans drawn up, have been granted listed building permission, and we have identified the principal contractor and lift manufacturer/installer to undertake the work.

“We are also moving forward at pace with gaining funding for the work which will cost approximately £125,000 to complete.

“We are looking at various funding streams, and are applying for a selection of grants.”

The Institute has already secured a “good amount” of funding, most notably £20,000 from the Garfield Weston Trust.

A community fundraising target of £20,000 has been set to be raised by next summer.

Once the entire package of funding has been secured, the work is likely to take place across summer next year.

Gill Birks, chairman of Glusburn Community and Arts Centre, said the project had been in the pipeline for several years.

She added: “With increased usage of the Centre, access has become a real issue for us where we have lost bookings due to lack of step-free access.”

The building’s trustees plan to continue developing the venue to ensure its sustainability for the future, Offering a wide range of classes, activities and events with other local organisations.

Visit gicac.org.uk for further information about all the activities at the Arts Centre.