The development of the Mobile Event Tent (MET) is behind schedule due to ‘a series of setbacks’.
AdvertisementThe pop up venue – which is using £500,000 of government funding secured under Preston’s Towns Deal – was originally planned to be in use by July.
Initially set to be situated on the site of the proposed Animate cinema and leisure development next to Preston Market, the MET would be moved to other city centre locations when needed.
Shows that were due to be held in the MET are being moved to alternative venues.
Project manager Charles Quick said: “The MET is a one-off design that has been many months in the making.
“Unfortunately, a series of setbacks, including pandemic related delays, has meant we have been unable to complete the structure to the original schedule. This means that we have had to rearrange the autumn MET events programme.
“We’ve already relocated some events, such as the Lancashire Encounter events that happened over the weekend, and we’re working with promoters and artists to move other pre-booked shows to alternative venues too.”
One such pre-booked show is Tom Mayhew’s acclaimed From Rags to Slightly Newer, which will take place at The Ferret tomorrow (Thursday 23 September).
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The MET is now due to open during autumn before closing for winter.
Charles added: “While we now expect the MET to be completed and ready to host some smaller events this autumn, our focus is on developing a full spring programme for this exciting venue.
“The MET has been designed to be a flexible and robust mobile events space that will provide valuable support to our arts and cultural community over the next few years.”
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