A Morecambe political group has revealed a plan to save The Platform arts venue and the town's Visitor Information Centre from the chop.
The Morecambe Bay Independents (MBIs) said they are "determined" to keep both of the under-threat facilities in Morecambe and if necessary will run a Visitor Information Centre (VIC) in the town themselves.
This comes after Lancaster City Council announced that the railway station-turned concert venue and the VIC - formerly known as the tourist information centre - were both likely to close due to the council's dire financial situation.
In a statement, the MBIs said they were "currently talking to interested parties to try and ensure that the Platform is no longer run at a loss to the tax payer, and are confident that this can be attained".
They also said: "If necessary, the Morecambe Bay Independents will run a Visitor Information Centre ourselves, as we think it is crucial to the expanding tourism offer in Morecambe and district, and again this does not need to be at a cost to the council tax payer."
The potential closure of Morecambe and Lancaster Visitor Information Centres and a change of use for The Platform venue was revealed at a meeting on Wednesday.
Meanwhile almost 2,000 people have signed an online petition wanting to save The Platform.
Rock singer Baz Mills, from the band Massive Wagons (pictured below), launched the petition on Friday, saying that shutting the venue would be a "kick in the teeth for Morecambe".
Related Story: Top rock singer launches campaign to save Morecambe concert venue - Beyond Radio
Meanwhile members of the local Labour group have also spoken out against the potential closures.
Joanne Ainscough, Matt Panesh, Terrie Metcalfe and Claire Cozler, who are all standing for Labour in the upcoming City Council elections in May, sent Beyond Radio a statement voicing their concerns.
Joanne said “Whilst I absolutely understand the budget constraints that the council finds itself in due to years and years of underfunding, it seems to be exactly the wrong moment to be closing a building and tourism related service located in such a prominent place within the Eden landscape."
Matt, who runs a number of festivals in the town including the Morecambe Poetry and Fringe festivals, said: "The Visitor centre and Platform are more than meet the eye. The staff, for some, are the face of Morecambe, the first thing they see, and they've been incredibly supportive. They've made a difference to my events."
Terrie Metcalfe said: “Following the council meeting on Wednesday evening, I walked into Morecambe Market on Thursday, to do my shopping as usual and it took me well over an hour to get around the market because of the number of people stopping me to talk about the issue, the traders and members of the public are very upset and angry about the announcement."
Claire Cozler said: "It's a dark day for the arts in Morecambe, and all over the UK with the cuts. The Platform has taken years to make its place in the community, and to be able to attract some big names to the area.
"What attracted Eden to Morecambe was its vibrant arts and festival scene, and it is disappearing before our eyes.
"With the eyes of the world on us following the Eden decision, this is a terrible time to even consider this, and we implore the council to reconsider their decision."
The VICs located at The Platform on Marine Road and the Storey in Lancaster are likely to shut at the end of the 2023 season.
Owners Lancaster City Council would then move towards promoting the district online via a "digital model".
Councillor Anne Whitehead, the city council's cabinet member for finance, told fellow councillors that The Platform's current use as an arts and concert venue was also no longer viable due to "escalating costs and resource constraints".
Councillor Whitehead said that "alternative uses" would be sought for the former railway station, which opened in its current form in 1997.
She said: "Whilst The Platform has hosted many popular and successful cultural events over its years of direct operation by the council, escalating costs and resource constraints mean the current operating model is no longer viable.
"Alternative uses will be sought for the building whilst the council continues to support Morecambe's rich cultural offer in every possible way, particularly as it accelerates over the coming years as the Eden Project Morecambe takes shape.
"During 2023-24 we will transform our visitor information, tourism and marketing provision from a physical presence in the form of Visitor Information Centres, which can no longer be funded from the end of the 2023 visitor season, to a more digital model, taking a highly focussed, online approach to promoting our district."
Closing the Visitor Information Centres and finding another use for The Platform was recommended by the Lancaster City Council cabinet, made up of a cross-party group of Green, Labour, Morecambe Bay Independent and Bay Independent Group councillors, as part of their 2023/24 budget proposals.
The full council will take a vote on the budget at a meeting on February 22.
Related Story: Visitor Information Centres and The Platform under threat due to council budget cuts - Beyond Radio
The council has said that unless drastic action is taken, it will be left with an estimated £4.2million black hole in its finances for 2023/24.
Longer term, the council is facing a potential deficit of £3.4 million in 2024/25, which could reach £7 million by 2026.
BIG FIGHT COUNTDOWN: Tyson Fury's most memorable Morecambe moments
Meeting will rally business community together after shock Lancaster bakery closure
INTERVIEW: Award-winning festival set to celebrate Italy in Lancaster
Lancaster MP welcomes return of mobile phone coverage
INTERVIEW: Historic Heysham pub to reopen as new management aims to 'bring community together'
Traffic diverted as Lancaster quay closed for rail bridge works
Caravan fire in Morecambe spreads to two other vehicles
Morecambe's two bathing beaches receive Seaside Awards amid calls to improve water quality
Lancaster remains best university in North West England in Complete University Guide
'Music with the Mayor' initiative launched to support North Lancashire’s Citizens Advice
DIARY: Beyond Radio presenter fighting cancer continues his '60 Before 60' challenge
BIG FIGHT COUNTDOWN: Tyson Fury's father John headbutts Usyk supporter ahead of undisputed heavyweight title fight
Decision to refuse Galgate housing scheme planning permission upheld following public inquiry
INTERVIEWS and PHOTOS: The story of Highest Point festival 2024
INTERVIEW: Lancaster prison officer backed by Tyson Fury wins sport contest ahead of Miss England bid
VIDEO and INTERVIEW: Lancaster schoolboy, 10, makes drum 'n' bass DJ debut at Lancaster festival
Highest Point 'Lancaster Rocks' night cancelled due to thunderstorms warning
Quad bike rider dies after road crash in Morecambe
Morecambe guesthouse couple to star on reality TV show 'Four in a Bed'
PHOTOS: Northern Lights dazzle on Highest Point festival day one
