- A group of volunteers working tirelessly to breathe new life into what was one of Britain's most iconic seaside theatres have been awarded The King's Award for Voluntary Service
- The Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust is leading a remarkable restoration of the Grade II* listed theatre on the Lancashire coast, which closed during the collapse of British seaside resorts in the 1970s, into one of the North of England's leading music venues
- University of Sheffield professor is chair of the trust and helped win the biggest investment in the venue in over 100 years
- The award is the highest honour a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE
A group of volunteers who are leading a remarkable restoration of a seaside theatre once known as the Albert Hall of the North, have been honoured by the King this week (14 November 2023).
The Morecambe Winter Gardens Preservation Trust - volunteers who are breathing new life into the historic building on the west Lancashire coast - have been awarded The King's Award for Voluntary Service. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Professor of Early Film and Popular Entertainment History at the University of Sheffield, is chair of the trust and leading the restoration of the Grade II* listed theatre, which closed during the collapse of British seaside towns in the 1970s, into one of the North of England's leading music venues.
