Green light for new arts facility

Audio slideshow: take a tour of the new arts centre, Junction

Goole is driving forward on the cultural road to regeneration as a new junction opens up this weekend, in the form of an arts and civic centre.

The new multi-purpose arts facility replaces The Gate theatre, which has been putting on performances in the town for the past 15 years.

Called Junction, the £2.3 million centre includes a 170-seat auditorium, cinema screen and workshop spaces, as well as a cafe and bar.

The new venue also houses the offices of Goole Town Council and is a place for the public to access information.

Formerly a market hall since the 1980's, work began on the construction of the new arts complex back in September 2008 and has been ten years in the planning.

It is hoped the new facility will encourage the development of the town centre and attract more visitors to the area.

Charlie Studdy, the arts and leisure manager at Goole Town Council said: "Goole here has a feature building to be proud of, an architect-designed building, which I think will really give people every reason to be proud of using it over the years to come."

The new facility is bringing cinema to Goole for the first time in a generation

"We know that when The Gate was in operation, it drew people in from 25 maybe even 50 miles away to see some shows.

"So what Goole has here compares favourably to anything in any town or city anywhere in the country," added Mr Studdy.

Junction's first season of programmes includes writer Gervase Phinn, jazz guitarist Martin Taylor and Company Gavin Robertson.

Already the new venue is proving popular with ticket sales of over £10,000 ahead of its official opening on Saturday 7th November, which is 75% of the annual box office at the Gate theatre.

With the Junction's 250 capacity potential, future plans for the centre include regular music events with local band nights and rock gigs.

For more information about the new arts and civic centre, visit the Junction website.