Bootle venue Salt and Tar’s General Manager Karen Yates is one of just six finalists in the People’s Choice category of this year’s Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards.

And people have until Friday 7th February to vote for her.

Outstanding contribution to culture and creativity

The People’s Choice Award recognises someone who has made an outstanding contribution to culture and creativity, which has made a significant difference to the quality of life at either local, borough or City Region level.

Karen’s nomination comes after a hugely successful year of events at Salt and Tar. The venue’s packed programme of events included a music weekender that featured Sir Tom Jones, Status Quo and Red Rum Club and a star-studded Comedy Weekender.

Located on Bootle’s canal side, next to The Strand shopping centre, Salt and Tar has also hosted regular community events including a Teenage Marketplace run by young local entrepreneurs.

Thrilled

Interviewed about being a finalists in the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards’ People’s Choice category, Karen said she was thrilled to receive the nomination which came as a complete surprise.

Karen says 2024 has been a huge success for Salt and Tar and that attracting stars like Sir Tom Jones have helped put the venue on the map. She also mentioned the Bootle International Festival which saw performances from 23 local community groups showcasing their skills and talents.

Having the One Show come and film at the venue was another 2024 highlight for Karen, who says Salt and Tar has become a catalyst for the wider regeneration of Bootle.

Vote now

You can vote for Karen and Salt and Tar here. 

Other Sefton finalists in this year’s City Region Culture and Creativity Awards are the At The Library project which is shortlisted for the Community Cohesion category. Sefton composer John McHugh as is one of four finalists for the Year for the Coastal Voice project.  And Andrew Brown and Stand Up for Southport has also been shortlisted for Business in the Arts.

Dates already confirmed

Dates already confirmed for the coming year at Salt and Tar are its Fringe Festival from Friday 23rd to Sunday 26th May and Sefton Pride on Saturday 14th June. The Salt and Tar Food & Drink Festival will take place over the weekend of 12th and 13th July. And Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th August will see the return of the venue’s Live Music Weekend.

Find out more about Salt and Tar.