Allerdale Borough Council has announced the success of Maryport’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) bid which will see an investment of £1.2m into the town centre.
The High Street HAZ programme will receive about half of its funding from Historic England and is the first of the Council’s Maryport regeneration initiatives to have been successful. The rest of the funding will come from the Council itself with other input from Sellafield and local building owners.
The programme is designed to promote the regeneration of Maryport using its unique and special architectural and townscape heritage. As well as upgrading many of Senhouse Street’s impressive historic buildings, there are exciting plans to create events and activities over the next four years to celebrate and better appreciate the town’s history and culture and encourage greater footfall.
The High Street HAZ will upgrade four key buildings in the high street, making them more usable, attractive and welcoming, they are: Maryport Town Hall, the Maritime Museum building, Heron Foods and 68 Crosby Street. The latter involving and enabling the conversion of the upper floors of Midland Bank Chambers to be converted into much-needed visitor accommodation.
The High Street HAZ will also involve the removal of some shopfronts and allow them to be replaced with high quality new ones more in keeping with the beautiful architecture of the street. There will also be new and improved signage, seating and public art in Senhouse Street.
A key and exciting element of the project is the ‘Cultural Programme’ which will involve festivals, competitions and town trails, the starting of a street art trail with a piece inspired by what is best and most loved about Maryport, and a calendar of events celebrating the town’s heritage.
Cllr Mike Johnson, Deputy Leader with responsibility for economic growth, community Development and placemaking, said: “It is fantastic to hear that we have been successful in our Maryport bid for the High Street Heritage Action Zone initiative. This is great scheme from Historic England, and the money will go towards improving the condition and enabling the re-use of some of the town’s key buildings.
“However, it is far more than just bricks and mortar. It’s also about encouraging members of the community to get involved in social, cultural as well as economic activities to help reinvigorate the town centre, for the benefit of all, and we look forward to engaging with, and sharing ideas and activities with as many local people as possible over the next four years.
“There is a lot of work to be done, but these are exciting times for the town and we’re fully committed to continuing the work of the Maryport regeneration team as it forms a key part of our Council Strategy to support thriving towns and villages.”
More information on the scheme can be found at: https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/maryport/ and any groups wishing to get involved can contact Helen Brownlie on [email protected].
