The first step to help transform a part of Egremont’s Main Street has been taken.
The site of the former Red Lion pub on Main Street and 5 Market Place – formerly Tommy Kelly’s – have been acquired by property development company BEC.
The firm, which is behind the transformation of the Bus Station in Whitehaven, has had its offer accepted for the site.
Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, said: “I am absolutely delighted. It has been a long process, but this opens up the opportunity for BEC to develop a programme that would be transformational for the town of Egremont.
“This is a significant amount of investment for the town, and the beginning of revitalising the high street.
“As someone who is Egremont born and bred, I’m thrilled with this progress, on a commitment I made when I was elected, to address dilapidated buildings and revitalise the town with innovative new projects.
“This is a significant step forward towards achieving that aim. I applaud chief executive Michael Pemberton, and his team at BEC, for bringing their considerable expertise and commitment to developing projects across West Cumbria.
“We have also secured more than £3 million of Borderlands funding for Egremont, we are nearing completion on a multi-million pound flood defence scheme and we will continue to seek future investment and growth opportunities throughout Copeland.”
Michael Pemberton, chief executive of BEC, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have reached a satisfactory conclusion for the acquisition of the former Red Lion, Egremont, from Mr Cox.
“The acquisition is now with both parties’ solicitors who hope to conclude the transaction as quickly as possible.
“The acquisition of the site is of great strategic importance and supports the wider regeneration plans for Egremont.
“The team at BEC, led by Stephen Holland, BEC’s head of developments, have already developed an outline scheme for the site and it is hoped that we will be sharing this with the local community very shortly.”
