Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative - Latest News
This page contains details of the latest
developments regarding the Maryport Townscape Heritage
Initiative.
April 2012
- Hair Salon takes up residence in former empty
property
A comprehensive programme of MTHI works has recently been
completed at 70 Crosby Street. The property has undergone a
complete transformation from empty property to busy hair salon.
Works included structural repairs and the reinstatement of the
traditional shopfront. The photos below highlight the marked
improvement in the look and condition of the property.
Before
After
August 2011
- Works complete to former eyesore
properties
MTHI improvement works have now been completed
at 23-25 King Street and the block of former bedsits on the corner
of Wood Street and Church Street.
Works at 23-25 King Street have included the
reinstatement of traditional sliding-sash windows, the application
of a breathable lime-render and the external decoration of the
building using a mineral-based paint. Unsightly security fencing to
the front boundary wall has been removed with a much improved gate
being fitted to the main entrance. The before and after photos
below highlight the resultant transformation of this high-profile
property within Maryport.
Before
After
Prior to the MTHI getting underway 76 Wood
Street and 2-6 Church Street were an interlinked series of bedsits,
which were in very poor condition having been vacant for some time.
Significant structural works have since been undertaken as part of
a programme to give the properties a new lease of life, with
external decoration works being undertaken to improve the
appearance of the buildings. Works are now complete with these
former bedsits being turned into a series of flats and a house,
several of which are already occupied by new tenants.
Before
After
April 2010
- More eyesore properties to be renovated as part
of MTHI
Renovation works are set to get to underway
shortly at three eyesore properties within Maryport town centre as
part of the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative (MTHI). The MTHI
requires that all works are completed to strict standards, with
high-quality, traditional materials used to maintain the character
of the town’s conservation area.
One of the properties to be given a new lease
of life is the former cat rescue-centre on Crosby
Street.
An empty shop and a series of inter-connected
bed sits, spanning the corner of Church Street and Wood Street,
will also be renovated. Planning permission has been obtained to
convert the property into a house and four flats.
In addition, two high-profile properties
overlooking the harbour-front on King Street will also receive a
makeover. Blocked-up windows will be uncovered, an unsightly gate
to the front of the building will be replaced the both properties
will be re-rendered and re-decorated externally.
A contribution to the cost of all the works
will come from the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative which is
funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, North West Development Agency
and Allerdale Borough Council.
Other properties that have received assistance
as part of the scheme include the recently re-opened Golden Lion
Hotel and the former Ex-Cat shop on Crosby Street which will soon
open as the Maryport Kitchen Company Ltd.
March 2010
The historic former haunt of Charles Dickens and George
Stephenson has reopened after receiving grant funding from the
Maryport THI. The renovation of
the hotel has led to the
creation of over
30 full-time and
part-time jobs and has also
improved the look and feel of this area of Shipping Brow.
16 en-suite rooms are now on
offer plus a lounge and public bar. On the first
floor is a conference room which can cater for over 100
people.
October 2009
- Council to hold event as part of Cumbria Green
Build Fortnight
Allerdale Borough Council is to host an event
as part of the Cumbria Green Build Fortnight. Now in its fourth
year, the Green Build Fortnight is an annual programme of events
organised by Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS). The
various workshops and seminars that take place in this two week
period are open to both individuals and businesses, with local
groups and organisations demonstrating projects across Cumbria that
encourage the sharing of knowledge and help promote best
practice.
The Allerdale Council seminar, delivered in
conjunction with Scottish Lime Centre Trust, is titled ‘Lime:
Lessons from the Historic Environment’ and will cover topics
including traditional building construction, masonry repair and the
characteristics and uses of lime as an ecologically-friendly
building material. The event will promote best practice in the
field of traditional building repair and highlight traditional
materials and techniques that can be effectively utilised in the
construction and repair of modern properties.
The seminar will take place at The Wave Centre
in Maryport on Thursday October 8th 2009. Attendance is free of
charge but places need to be booked in advance. A free buffet
will be available from 6:30pm with the seminar itself taking place
between 7pm and 8pm. Please
contact joe.broomfield@allerdale.gov.uk or phone 01900
702568 to book your place. Further details can also be found on the
Cumbria Green Build
website.
August 2009
- Heritage scheme paves the way for new business to
open in Maryport
Alan and Pamela Duckworth, from Seaton, have taken over the
Senhouse Street building as tenants and will be opening ‘Maryport
Fishmongers’ on Monday 10 August.
It is the seventh new business in Maryport to open in premises
renovated as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Councillor
Margaret Jackson, Allerdale Borough Council’s Executive member
with responsibility for regeneration, said: “It is very
encouraging, especially in light of the global recession, to see
that the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative has helped to house
another small business."
View the full press release
here.
July 2009
- 100% pass rate in traditional building skills
assessment
At the end of June 2009 5 local contractors
and Allerdale’s Conservation Officer all gained a national unit 1
qualification in Conservation Masonry after being assessed as part
of the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative (MTHI).
To pass the exam participants had to
successfully answer a number of questions about the properties of
traditional materials such as lime, and how to correctly prepare
and use these materials in practice. Participants also had to
demonstrate their competence in preparing and using traditional
materials by completing a series of practical assessments.
Helen Brownlie, Allerdale’s Conservation
Officer, said “it was an eye opener to see how versatile some of
the more traditional building materials really are and it was
excellent to get the chance to practice all sorts of repair
techniques. In the right hands, materials such as lime can
not only solve many of the problems associated with old buildings,
but can be used to create repairs that are virtually
indistinguishable from original stonework”
Joe Broomfield, Allerdale’s T.H.I. Officer
commented that “by providing this opportunity for contractors to
gain a national qualification as part of the MTHI we are adding to
the local skills-base, better equipping local tradesmen with the
knowledge and techniques to maintain and repair Allerdale’s
traditional properties.”
The 3 day course and assessment is being
repeated in October of this year and anyone interested in attending
should get in touch with Joe Broomfield via the contact details
below.
June 2009
- Maintenance event for owners of traditional
properties
Property owners will be able to pick up traditional building
techniques, such as those seen on Channel 4's Grand Designs, at a
special event staged by Allerdale Borough Council in Maryport in
June.
The homeowners’ evening will offer advice on how to best
look after and repair older buildings. The event,
which is completely free of charge, is being held at the Maryport
Settlement, High Street, Maryport and will take place on Wednesday
24 June from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. Those attending will be able to find
out more about the building traditions of the local area with
refreshments and a light buffet also being available.
Aimed at owners of older buildings, the evening will provide a
great opportunity to learn about the best ways to maintain and
repair traditional properties.
A presentation will be delivered by skilled
and experienced tutors from the Scottish Lime Centre Trust. The
tutors will be on hand to answer questions from homeowners. It may
also be possible for specific advice to be given; all that is
required is a photograph (either in hard-copy, on disc or data
stick) of the problem area.
To book a place, please contact Allerdale
Borough Council’s Townscape Heritage Initiative officer, Joe
Broomfield, via e-mail: joe.broomfield@allerdale.gov.uk
or by phone on 01900 702568.
May 2009
- Carlton Creations, VIP and Lakeland Bone China open
doors to public
The former Calton Cinema has been opened to the public by Mr
Steve Wood who will run three businesses over three floors.
On the ground floor is Carlton Creations, a seaside themed cafe
where visitors can paint their own ceramics.
On the first floor is VIP, a fine ceramics and lithographic
business which has supplied clients such as Cunard Line and the
Royal Yacht Britannia.
On the second floor is new business Lakeland Bone China.
The Carlton is open to visitors every day except Wednesday, from
10am - 4.30pm.
April 
2009
- Renovation of former Carlton Cinema brings new jobs to
Maryport
A landmark building in Maryport is to re-open next month
following extensive refurbishment, resulting in the creation of
around 13 jobs in the town.
Renovation work on the former Carlton Cinema is almost complete
and three new businesses are set to operate from the transformed
building: Carlton Creations, Lakeland China and Vacation
International Praestigium.
View the full press
release.
January 2009
- Regeneration work starts on Shipping Brow
A programme of improvements to Shipping Brow will get underway
on Monday 19 January through the Maryport Townscape Heritage
Initiative scheme, which is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund,
West Lakes Renaissance, the North West Development Agency and
Allerdale Borough Council.
The renovations feature a new lighting scheme to make the area more
welcoming and attractive, along with high-quality paving materials.
Other improvements will include a new display board and
specially-designed pedestrian signs outlining the town’s many
attractions. The scheme is designed to improve what is an important
link between the harbour and the main shopping area of the town
centre.
The work will be carried out in two phases to run consecutively.
Phase one, beginning on Monday, will last for around four weeks,
during which time the Harbour Bridge and the bottom-half of
Shipping Brow will be closed to all vehicles.
There will be no direct access for vehicles between Irish Street
and Senhouse Street. There will also be no access to King Street
from Senhouse Street or Irish Street, with access instead being via
Brow Street and Wallace Lane.
Phase two will last for approximately eight weeks. During this time
the upper half of Shipping Brow will be closed, with vehicles still
not able to pass directly between Senhouse Street and Irish Street.
Access to King Street will be possible via Irish Street.
A pedestrian walkway within the area of road closures will be open
at all times during both phases of work.
All existing parking spaces will be retained and there will be the
addition of a new speed table at the bottom of Shipping Brow.
The works will run alongside the renovation of the Golden Lion
Hotel and the former Carlton Cinema, which are also part of the
Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme.
Councillor Margaret Jackson, Allerdale Borough Council Executive
member with responsibility for Regeneration, said: “It is wonderful
to see the work on Shipping Brow getting underway as it supports
one of the Council’s priorities in its Corporate Improvement Plan
for 2008 to 2011, which is to regenerate Allerdale and create
sustainable economic growth.
“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to
residents, traders and visitors. I would ask for their patience and
understanding whilst the work is carried out, as it will result in
huge improvements to the area.”
September 2008
- Repair & Maintenance of Traditional Properties:
Homeowners’ Information Evening
Owners of traditional properties were able to
get advice on how to best look after and repair their buildings at
an event staged by Allerdale Borough Council on the 24th September
2008.
The homeowners’ evening was held as part
of the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative, which is funded by
the Heritage Lottery Fund, West Lakes Renaissance and Allerdale
Borough Council.
Aimed at owners of traditional, solid-wall
buildings (not cavity wall), the evening provided a great
opportunity to learn about the best ways to maintain and repair
older properties.
The event, which was completely free of
charge, was held at the Maryport Settlement, High Street,
Maryport. Those attending were able to find out more about the
building traditions of the local area with refreshments and a light
buffet also being available.
The presentation was delivered by skilled and
experienced tutors from the Scottish Lime Centre Trust. The tutors
were on hand to answer questions from homeowners.
The event was very well received and attended.
Comments included:
"Excellent informative course. Would
really appreciate opportunity to come to workshop and train to
undertake minor repairs."
"Very interesting and informative.
More courses of this nature would be welcome."
"A good opportunity to network with
people who are experiencing similar issues with home care and
maintenance, picking the brains of the Scottish Lime Centre experts
and benefiting from their knowledge and experience."
- Amended Shipping Brow
Masterplan
Amended Shipping Brow Masterplan proposals are now available
for download at the bottom of the Shipping Brow Improvements webpage.
June 2008
- Golden Lion Hotel to be renovated as part of
MTHI
The property has been purchased by Philip and Janice Cueto of
Cueto's Newsagents, Maryport. The couple plan to completely
renovate and refurbish the building in time for a grand reopening
in summer 2009. The Golden Lion will remain as a hotel offering 15
bedrooms, a restaurant, bar and outside terrace area with views
over the Solway Firth. There will also be a function room catering
for up to 200 people.
Joe Broomfield, Allerdale Borough Council's Townscape Heritage
Initiative Officer, confirmed that the Golden Lion would be
participating in the MTHI. He said: "The Golden Lion has always
been a priority target for the MTHI and it's fantastic news for
Maryport that Philip and Janice have purchased the property and
will be working with myself to bring it back into use. The property
occupies a prominent position at the top of Shipping Brow and is on
a key gateway into the town centre. The renovation of the property
will be a huge boost for the local economy and the environment,
creating jobs, enhancing the streetscape of Shipping Brow and
Senhouse Street and offering enhanced visitor facilities."
April 2008
- Works begin on transformation of former
cinema
Works have started on the renovation of the
former Carlton Cinema on Senhouse Street, Maryport, as part of the
Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative.
The property, which will reopen in the summer
as a ceramic manufacturer, has been bought by Steve Wood, Managing
Director of V.I.P and newly created ‘Carlton Creations’. Steve has
relocated his business from Stoke-on-Trent to be closer to his
family home in Kirkland.
The building will house a café, creative café
(paint your own piece of china and have it fired) and retail shop.
Visitors will be able to see ceramic goods being made, view working
kilns through glass panels and will be able to design and paint
their own piece of china over a cup of coffee.
Steve said: “I am very excited about this new
base for the company, especially as it's in Maryport and very near
to the magnificent harbour overlooking the Solway Firth.”
“The improvements that are planned for
Shipping Brow and the Harbour sound wonderful and I’m glad that by
moving here, I’m playing a part in the regeneration of Maryport and
West Cumbria.”
The redevelopment of the Carlton will create a
minimum of 15 new jobs. Steve said that he is “already on the
lookout for an experienced retail manager to help with the
development of the activities, and in particular, someone who also
sees Maryport as a potentially huge tourist town.”
“I would like to thank Allerdale Borough
Council, West Lakes Renaissance and the West Cumbria Development
Agency for their incredible commitment to make my
project work. If it wasn't for their continued support through
schemes such as the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative then I
would not have been able to re-locate to Cumbria, where I live with
my family, and grow the business. “
Allerdale Borough Council’s Townscape Heritage
Initiative Officer Joe Broomfield confirmed the good news for
Maryport: “The Carlton is a hugely important building within the
town centre and it’s been great working with Steve Wood in getting
to the point where we are now, with the renovation works just
having started. We are now beginning to see the impact that the
Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative is having within the town
centre, with more and more derelict properties being given a new
lease of life under the Scheme.”
The property is being transformed as part of
the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative, which is funded by the
Heritage Lottery Fund, West Lakes Renaissance and Allerdale Borough
Council, and is also benefiting from a Service Sector Development
Grant, managed by Denise Smalley of West Lakes Renaissance.
October 2007
- Capita Symonds
have been appointed to oversee the planned environmental
enhancement works for Shipping Brow
- The Scottish Lime Centre Trust
(a not for profit training organisation)
have been appointed to help deliver the workshops in
traditional building and conservation skills for local
builders and students.
Further information
For more information on the project visit the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative page.