MUSIC lovers with disabilities will have easier access to a popular concert venue thanks to two grants.
The North East Theatre Organ Association (Netoa) has been given £5,000 each by Awards For All North-East and Wear Valley District Council to spend on improvements at the New Victoria Centre, in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, County Durham.
The centre is popular with lovers of organ music, housing the Mighty Wurlitzer - a former cinema organ rescued from Bradford in 1968.
Netoa chairman Tom Musgrave said: "We want to make our premises available to everyone in the area, and this means improving access and facilities in our centre.
"We intend to provide a full facility unisex toilet for the disabled, enlarge and relocate the gentlemen's toilet, provide an induction loop and other equipment to help the hard-of-hearing and provide ramps to enable wheelchair users to move around easily.
"The grant money will make our proposals possible and we are delighted with our success.
"Now that we have funds available, we will arrange to have the work done as soon as possible without disrupting our very popular organ concerts."
Published: 20/04/2004
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