KLCRP Update 13 December

posted 3pm, Friday 13 December

The community would like to show its gratitude for the support offered after the tragic events of last weekend.

Councillor Paul Cassell, Chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and a member of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, said: “Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council would like to thank the residents and business community for their support and resilience for those in need during and after the tragic fire that has devastated our beloved town.

“The support offered from within the town and much further afield has been humbling. We have witnessed so many unseen acts of support and help and give our sincere and heartfelt thanks.

“We are keen that people know Kirkby Lonsdale is open and would encourage people to investigate the unique independent shopping experience in the town. There are also many beautiful walks and open spaces to enjoy in the area.”

Lizzi Collinge Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, sent the following message to the Town Council to thank the community and inform us that she has raised the tragedy in the House of Commons:

“I would like to pass on my thanks to you all in Kirkby Lonsdale for the way you dealt with this tragedy. What I saw in KL in the aftermath makes me so proud to represent you all. Since the fire, I have been in frequent contact with Westmorland and Furness council and have offered any help I can to support the recovery. I asked a question in PMQs about recovery support and the whole House of Commons was visibly moved.

I will be back in KL on Saturday 14th December and will be encouraging some solidarity Christmas shopping from across the constituency.”

Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership has been established to support the sharing of information about the community response to the weekend fire.

We will continue to keep you all updated about the ongoing recovery efforts.

Update – 13 December

• The community support centre remains in St Mary’s Church today. This is being manned by local volunteers from 9am to 5pm daily with support from Westmorland and Furness Council Please feel free to call in for help and advice. The centre is welcoming of people of all faiths and people with no faith. Anyone unable to visit in person can call 015242 36404. The support centre will be situated in Kirkby Lonsdale library in Chapel Lane from 10am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday.
• The cordon area on Main Street runs from Avanti to Lunesdale Home and Gardens on the opposite side of the street. For your own safety no members of the public can go beyond the cordon area, there are still a number of structurally unsafe buildings and heavy machinery operating in the area.
• A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Lunesdale Hall (Institute) charitable trust working with Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership and Cumbria Community Foundation. Anyone wishing to donate can do so at: Fundraiser by Nicola Brown : Kirkby Lonsdale Fire Disaster Impact Support FundPlans to distribute the funds raised to those in need are being formulated and will be shared as soon as they are finalised.
• The Community Recovery Partnership is encouraging people to support the businesses that are open in the town, and issuing a reminder about the many beautiful walks and open spaces in the area.
• Bus services are running as normal.
• Parking in Westmorland and Furness Council-run car parks – New Road 1, New Road 2 and Market Square – will be free to use until the end of December.
• Events by Shop Small is showcasing 35 Kirkby Lonsdale businesses impacted by the fire and Christmas Market stall holders affected by the cancellation of the event an opportunity to trade at a Late Night Shop Small event at Junction 36 Auction Mart at Crooklands next Wednesday, 18 December, from 6pm to 8pm. The affected businesses can attend free of charge. Entry is also free for anyone wanting to go along and it would be wonderful if people could support these local businesses at this most difficult time
• The next drop-in public meeting will take place today (Friday) in the Lunesdale Hall at 5pm. All welcome to hear updates and ask questions.
• If anyone is requiring immediate and urgent access to businesses or residential properties within the cordoned area, please meet at the Natwest Bank end of the cordon, between 6pm and 7pm this evening (Friday), where contractors will aim to be available to escort people in small groups on to the site, whilst wearing appropriate protective equipment. Please be aware, although every effort will be made to ensure that this access occurs, the unpredictable and changing nature of this situation may cause plans to change without warning.

Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership has been established to support the sharing of information about the community response to the weekend fire.

The partnership is comprised of community representatives from the Town Council, Chamber of Trade, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Interest Company, local churches, NHS Primary Care, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard CIO and local voluntary groups.

The partnership is working closely with Westmorland and Furness Council’s Strategic Recovery Group and aims to support and share information in the community about the ongoing recovery efforts.

Councillor Paul Cassell, Chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and a member of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, said: “The partnership’s primary aim is to work together to coordinate the sharing of information to help support residents and businesses in the town at this difficult time.

“At times like this there is often lots of speculation and rumour and this has been raised as a concern by people attending the public meetings, who have said it would be helpful to have a source of reliable information about community matters alongside the regular updates from Westmorland and Furness Council on the recovery work.

“The Community Recovery Partnership is meeting daily to get up-to-date information and address community questions and issues of concern, and we will be posting regular updates on social media, including the We Are Kirkby Lonsdale page, and sending updates to local media in the hope they will share this information.’’