Creations in The Undercroft
One woman is on a mission to transform a cavern beneath Carlisle railway station into a performance and arts venue for the community.
When Kimberley Watkin first walked through the doors into the historic chamber underneath the citadel station, she knew she had stumbled upon something special. After graduating in 2015, Kimberley, was making her name for herself as a stage manager and was working as Production Manager on a performance by non-for-profit dance theatre group, Dance Ahead when the space stole her heart.
The group performed in the Undercroft again last summer and encouraged Kimberley to apply for funding for the space. Her application to the UnLtd Spaces 4 Change programme was a success and things have been snowballing ever since.
Kimberley said: “Running the space excites me so much. I’m so passionate and determined about it being a place that everyone can use. At the end of the day, this isn’t my space, it’s a community space which is what I want to keep echoing to everybody.”
Kimberley is currently working with Rod Hughes from 20 30 architects to design the venue. In October the work will begin, stone washing the walls to expose the original red brick, built by locals in the late 1800s. By January 2018 the builders will be fitting working toilets and showers, electricity and ventilation systems. The tech team will then install high tech equipment, ready for the launch night in October 2018.
Kimberley explained: “There’s so much pride about the space…I don’t want to change much. Everything will be subtle so it doesn’t ruin the look of the space, we’ve got wonderful acoustics in here so you don’t really need to do much.”
At only 23, Kimberley admits that there have been obstacles, but then come the emails from locals, thanking her for what she is doing for the city. Through the project, she has reached out to tens of thousands of people and sparked interest across all generations.
She explained: “I’m hoping it will draw more people into Carlisle, as well as keeping people here. I’ve seen local groups set up, but they’ve either got nowhere to showcase anything or it’s too expensive. I want offer somewhere else for performers, dancers, artists to platform their work.
“Every creative person has a different way that they’re going to use the space, there’s so many possibilities in here.”
There has already been interest from people wanting to use the unique space to host performances, parties, weddings and conferences.
Kimberley will also hold events of her own at the venue, starting this October with Halloween ghost tours into the Undercroft. The side rooms, each with its own unique characteristics, are some of the most striking aspects of the site, however, they also happen to be some of the most haunted spots in the city.
She may be the driving force for the project, but Kimberley has had support from all directions. Along with funding from UnLtd, she has received many more donations of kindness. As well as continued support from Dance Ahead, her close friends, Anthony Parkinson and Sophie Cole are giving up their time to help with planning and guidance.
The project is also supported by the University of Cumbria, who have offered Kimberley free business advice and the Railway Heritage Trust who are helping to cover the costs of the £150,000 renovation. The Trust, working closely with Kimberley, will use the finished venue to showcase memorabilia and hold pop up exhibitions. Meanwhile, the University will use the space as a third performance theatre.
Kimberley said: “At the moment that door is locked, I want everybody to be able to come in and use the space. I want the buzz to be around Carlisle and Carlisle Undercroft.”
Now a limited business, it is full steam ahead for Artefact Ventures and Kimberley’s Carlisle Undercroft dream.
She added: “I never imagined that this is what I would be doing, but I’m happy that my life has steered this way.”
Find Carlisle Undercroft on Facebook @carlisleundercroft
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