Matinee performances at Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake are under threat because attendees are unable to find a place to park.
Members of Keswick Town Council heard last Thursday that the feasibility of the afternoon shows was being called into question because people arriving by car were unable to find a space in the Lakeside car park.
The theatre’s executive director Simon Stephens was due to attend the meeting after holding discussions with council clerk Vivien Little appealing for the council’s help in the matter.
A report from the clerk to the meeting says that over the past year it has been noticeable that the amount of people parking in Keswick has increased and visitors to the theatre had found it difficult to park for matinee performances.
The report says that it frequently leads to audience members arriving “significantly late” or missing performances completely. It adds that this can be “especially problematic” for individuals who have limited mobility and are unable to park.
“The issue is also exacerbated by the number of camper vans and mobile homes parking at Lakeside,” says the report. “As a consequence, Theatre by the Lake is now questioning the feasibility of matinee performances.”
Ms Little has suggested “an appropriate way of moving forward” would be to write a letter to the officers group of the Keswick Transport Study which is led by Stephen Radcliffe of the Lake District National Park Authority. She reports that the group is interested in any proof that can be presented that the amount of parking in Keswick is at capacity.
She concludes: “I would therefore recommend that councillors agree to a letter being written supporting the TBTL’s position and requesting that the transport study lead an investigation into the situation of parking at Lakeside.”
