Plans have now been officially lodged for a £3 million transformation of an Egremont site.
Cumberland Council wants to create a new public space on the site of the former Red Lion on Main Street and the project is set to be funded by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
The scheme aims to make the town centre more attractive and vibrant, providing opportunities for small businesses and bringing more people into town, the council said.
Plans for the site include a new public space, a new entrance and building for the front of the site and the refurbishment of a vacant two-storey building for community uses.
Egremont Town Team chair Cllr Sam Pollen, said: “I am proud that the Town Team and Cumberland Council have reached this important milestone.
“We are determined to deliver a better connected, more vibrant town centre and a significantly enhanced cultural offer.
“The Red Lion scheme delivers flexible business space that supports job creation, entrepreneurship and year-round economic activity.”
There are also plans in the pipeline for a revamp of Florence Arts Centre and the council said it was expected that planning permission for that would be lodged soon.
Key features of the Florence Arts Centre proposal include:
- A new heritage display area
- A larger café
- A new performance area and studio spaces
- The preservation of some of the former mine buildings
- Better access, parking and outdoor seating.
Cllr Pollen added: “Florence could become an incredible cultural destination. Both projects pave the way for more people in our fantastic town, spending more money with local businesses – I can see a renaissance for Egremont, and I look forward to it.”
Simon Walker, chair of Egremont and Area Regeneration Partnership Ltd, Florence Mine, said: “We are delighted to be part of Egremont’s bright and exciting future, and to make Florence Mine the heritage and cultural facility that the town deserves.
“We have worked with and listened to people to understand what they want Florence to be. Working with architects Building Design North, we will conserve this last remaining part of west Cumbria’s iron ore mining heritage, while celebrating west Cumbria’s artists and makers, and enabling everyone to look after and develop their creative side.”
The application for the redevelopment of Florence Arts Centre will be submitted by the Egremont and Area Regeneration Partnership.
The projects, plus work around Connecting Egremont involving access and signs, form a £9.7m bid to increase the attractiveness of the town, improve footfall and breathe new economic life into Egremont, the council added.
Leader of Cumberland Council Mark Fryer said: “This is a very exciting time for Egremont, and I am delighted we have now applied for planning permission for the Red Lion site.
“Together, these projects represent the most significant investment in Egremont for a generation. They will support the town centre, attract new employers, retain young people, and create the modern cultural and commercial facilities needed for long-term economic resilience.
“This is about giving Egremont a stronger future — not just new buildings, but new opportunities, jobs and reasons for people to visit, spend time and invest.”
The projects’ final business case for full funding will be presented to the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal Partnership Board for approval in the spring.
If the planning applications are successful, further funding is secured, and the business case is supported, work on both schemes should begin in late 2026 and take around 12 to 18 months to complete.
