It is decision time for plans to relocate a town’s museum into a former church.
Allerdale council’s development panel will meet next week to decide on planning applications submitted for the area and one of the bids would see internal and external changes to the iconic Christ Church on King Street in Maryport.
The development would facilitate the relocation of the town’s maritime museum to the now derelict former church.
Councillors will give special consideration to the application as Christ Church is a Grade II listed building.
Redevelopment of the building will be paid for by part of Maryport’s £11 million Future High Streets Fund share.
If approved on June 7, work would include repairs of damaged fabric, the partial replacement and repair of roofing and windows. External lighting will be installed as well as a sign on the south side of the building.
A report prepared for councillors states: “The principal change to the church is the introduction of a new build timber pod and mezzanine that will sit centrally within the church space, acting as additional floor area and exhibition space for the collection.
“A lift will be inserted central to the mezzanine to provide disabled access. The internal layout of the church will also be reconfigured to allow for a café, shop and reception area, as well as additional education space and visitor toilets.”
The council consulted with the public on its Future High Streets Fund project and received positive feedback about the idea of bringing the Christ Church building back into use.
Christ Church featured prominently in the work of artist LS Lowry.
It is also known locally as the seaman’s church as its roof construction matches the barrel of a boat.
Supporting statements note that in 2018, the nearby Lake District Coast Aquarium welcomed 35,000 paying customers and a further 60,000 into the shop, café or information services.
“Christ Church is visible from the aquarium and it is expected through signposting that a significant increase in visitor numbers can be expected when expanding the maritime museum into the church.”
The current museum building, on the junction of Well Lane and Senhouse Street, will be transformed into an art gallery, with a flat upstairs for an artist in residence. The building was formerly the Queen’s Head pub and was converted into a museum in 1975.
