Plans have been lodged to restore a Millom building to create a museum, café and outreach centre to show the life of a well-known Cumbrian poet.
The Norman Nicholson CIC has submitted proposals to Cumberland Council to convert, restore and extend the property at 14 St George’s Terrace in a bid to contribute significantly to the tourism potential of Millom.
The application said: “The regeneration of this building by the Norman Nicholson Society also has the potential to contribute significantly to the tourism and community potential of Millom, at a time when local identity is increasingly valued and important for sustainable communities and local economic viability.”
According to planning documents, it is proposed that the ground floor will be used as a café which will bring in the main revenue for the project.
The first and second floors will be used as exhibition space with plans proposing that the interior of the property will be designed to depict what it would have looked like during Mr Nicholson’s occupation.
The exhibition space will contain artefacts and memorabilia as well as providing an audio-visual memory experience.
Plans add the proposed extension of the property will allow the upgrading of facilities and space for a lift to make the site more accessible to visitors. A short-term holiday let consisting of a en suite bedroom is also proposed for the extension to provide additional income.
Nicholson was born and raised in Cumbria who had a writing career spanning over 50 years until he died in 1987.
He lived at the property on St George’s terrace for nearly his entire life and was best known for his poetry although he also wrote plays, novels, criticism and essays.
The application added: “The development is to attract a variety of people, not just Norman Nicholson enthusiasts, and would show the life of a local businessman (Nicholson’s father) as well as the life and works of Norman Nicholson.”
The application is undergoing public consultation.
