PLANNING permission is being sought to transform a former bank into a new arts and enterprise centre for the community of Millom.
The proposal would see work get underway at the property in St George’s Road to create a range of facilities including a cafe, maker’s market, small retail spaces, workshops and studios.
It is part of the £3m Reactivating Heritage Buildings project brought forward by Millom Town Deal which was awarded £20.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund in November 2022 to help the town and its communities to thrive in the future. An additional £8.7 million was secured in match funding.
David Savage, Chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, said: “A lot of work behind the scenes has secured this once in a lifetime investment of £29.3m, with a package of projects which supports the requirements of the HMG Town Fund criteria.
“The Arts and Enterprise Centre is an integral part of the transformation of a forgotten town into something quite extraordinary for Millom and Haverigg.
“This is the first planning application which is ready to be submitted to the local planning authority and represents the next step in the process.
“Each of the Town Deal projects are at various stages of development and must meet appropriate criteria prior to a formal application being submitted to the Planning Authority.
“We will look forward to announcing the other Town Deal planning applications once they are ready for submission”.
The key highlights of the Arts and Enterprise Hub include:
- Some extensions to the property which are not in keeping with its architectural style or the setting of the building within the town centre conservation area would be demolished.
- The ground floor would then become home to a cafe, maker’s market and small retail spaces showcasing the products of those operating from four start-up business spaces on the first floor and three workshops, studios and shared studio space on the second floor.
The application will be determined at a future meeting of Cumberland Council’s Planning Committee.
The Millom Town Deal includes three further projects; The Iron Line, Connected Millom and Haverigg and Activating Community Health.