A £3 million plan to revamp three sites in a West Cumbrian town have been given the green light.
The cash will be spent in Egremont after its town team and Cumberland Council were allocated it from the Government’s Borderlands scheme.
Money will be spent on the redevelopment of the site of the former Red Lion pub, developing Florence Arts Centre and on measures to enhance connectivity and accessibility across the town.
Proposed designs for two of the schemes – the former Red Lion site and Florence Arts Centre – will be on display at Egremont Market Hall on Wednesday, October 8, between 2pm and 7pm.
The event is a chance for residents and businesses to take a closer look at the plans and provide feedback.
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer, said: “I am delighted to hear this news. The funding is secured and now, along with the town team, we will finetune some fantastic plans that will shape the future of the town.
“I can’t wait to see the projects fleshed out and to hear how they will come to fruition to enhance Egremont.”
Chair of Egremont Town Team, Cllr Sam Pollen, said: “It is fantastic news that we have secured this funding for Egremont. We believe these projects will make a real difference to the town.
“I look forward to sharing how the designs have developed since our previous event, and am keen to hear people’s feedback on both schemes.
“Getting this right will make sure Egremont can capitalise on its assets into the future. I encourage everyone to come along, take a look at the proposals and have their say.”
For anyone unable to attend the event, there are plans for an online survey, which will be shared soon.
In 2024, Cumberland Council and the Egremont Town Team revealed initial ideas for the sites.
Redevelopment of the former Red Lion site
This project will see the redevelopment of the former Red Lion Hotel site to provide a new, attractive public space.
The site has been vacant since February 2020 when the hotel was demolished – leaving a gap and empty space between buildings on Main Street.
Several ideas for an accessible public park-style greenspace or open courtyard have been put forward for the site.
hese ideas include a landscaped courtyard offering outdoor seating, pop-up indoor space – such as shipping containers – for vendors or workshops, some play/gym equipment, food/beverage units and public toilets.
Other options for the site include turning it into a park-style greenspace.
Facilities on site could include public toilets, a small food/beverage unit, large areas of planting to create a quiet space away from the Main Street, a play area and the conversion of an existing unit in the centre of the site for vendors or local people looking to host meetings or workshops.
All design ideas have also put forward ideas for how the site would be accessed from Main Street.
A gate, wall or other kind of frontage must be created in line with heritage conservation efforts in the town.Ideas include creating a wall of open archways, creating a raised gateway to the site to re-establish the roof line of buildings on the main street, and a canopy with gated access.
The redeveloped site would also connect via gated access to Beck Green Car Park, with possibilities of future development.
A raised table crossing is also being considered to create safer access to the site from market place.
Future development of a boarded up vacant building to the rear of the site is also a possibility.
Development of Florence Arts Centre
This project will develop the cultural and heritage offer at the centre while improving public access to the site and expanding opportunities for the community, artists and creative groups to use the space there.
The arts centre has trebled its visitor figures in recent years and is aiming to improve its facilities and create a new entrance and a bigger cafe space with the support of the Borderlands funding.
Ideas to boost site accessibility through improved landscaping, carparking and town signage are also being put forward along with plans to improve lighting in the underpass on Little Mill Road, which leads to the centre.
The centre also has plans to incorporate green technology in its improvement works to support its sustainability goals. This includes ideas to better insulate the main building and explore the use of things like solar panels on site.
In the long run – the centre is aiming to obtain funding to undertake a larger redevelopment of the site, which could include the creation of artist studios, holiday pods and more to help bring visitors to the town.
Connecting Egremont
This project will develop new signage and information boards to support the development of a Town Trail, promoting the town’s key attractions.
Plans to add footway inlays to support a Town Trail and improve the main street are also being considered.
It will also consider electric vehicle charging points, campervan spaces and facilities and additional cycle parking, to encourage visitors and residents to stay longer in the town centre.
