Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant Scheme
The damage caused by the November 2009
flooding to shops and businesses within the centre of Cockermouth
was both wide-reaching and severe. The historic areas of Main
Street and Market Place were particularly badly affected, with
these two streets home to numerous buildings of significant
townscape and architectural value. Over half of the shops occupy
listed buildings and the majority were flooded.
In the aftermath of the flooding Allerdale
Borough Council has worked closely with Cockermouth and District
Civic Trust, Cockermouth Town Council, the Cockermouth Chamber of
Trade, a number of local architects and other groups, businesses
and individuals to ensure that the town emerges ‘better and
brighter’ than before. A steering-group made-up of representatives
of these organisations continues to meet on a regular basis to
guide the local flood-recovery effort in Cockermouth.
Aims of the shopfront scheme
The Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant
Scheme sought to encourage and facilitate the replacement of
modern, poorly designed shopfronts with ones that are more
in-keeping with Cockermouth’s heritage. Owners of flood-damaged,
commercial properties were encouraged to submit an application
under the scheme. A prioritisation exercise was carried out by
Allerdale’s Conservation Officer to identify those shopfronts
particularly detrimental to the character of the Cockermouth
streetscape. Funding was then used to bridge the gap between the
like-for-like shopfront replacement costs paid out by insurance
companies, and the cost of installing a more appropriate and
sympathetic shopfront.
Following a visit from The Prince’s Foundation
for the Built Environment (PFBE) shortly after the floods, the
steering group established a clear vision for the shopfront scheme
and the wider recovery of the Town. Drawing on a report produced by
the PFBE (Cockermouth after the flood: an opportunity to revive
and preserve its history in the public realm) key guiding
principles of good shopfront design / restoration were identified
and communicated to scheme applicants. Through the production of a
Cockermouth specific shopfront and signage guide applicants were
encouraged to respect the individual history of their buildings and
view their shopfront / signage in relation to the property as a
whole and in the context of the wider streetscape of the town.
Architectural history of the town
It was recognised that Cockermouth town centre
has evolved and changed over time, growing from the original market
place and beast market of Norman origin. The burgage plots are
still evident in the grain of the town centre with the ends of
these plots forming street frontages, probably of single storey or
squat medieval buildings. Later, as the town prospered and grew
these facades were replaced or altered to be in the Georgian style,
some of which have since been rebuilt and replaced with larger
Victorian buildings. However, the predominant town layout and
architecture is Georgian, albeit planted onto earlier
structures.
The late twentieth century saw many of the
traditional shopfronts and facades altered to become more
contemporary (typically incorporating larger areas of plate glass).
This resulted in the loss of many of the subtle details of the
Georgian architecture. The aim and success of the shopfront scheme
has been the reintroduction of classically proportioned and
detailed shopfronts, not simply to ape an artificial past but to
adopt a style more in keeping and relevant to the town and its
buildings. By either restoring damaged existing examples or
rebuilding new shopfronts in the same manner each building now
reflects more clearly the town’s evolution (through beast market to
burgage plots) and allows the street to become more architecturally
dynamic, showcasing the many forms of both Georgian and Victorian
architecture within the town centre.
Application process and success of the scheme
Prior to any offer of grant funding being made
the proposed designs had to be approved by a grants panel.
This consisted of representatives from Allerdale Borough
Council, Cockermouth Town Council, Cockermouth & District Civic
Trust and the National Trust. Once appropriate designs were
approved for a particular design, the offer of a grant was made and
the applicant required to sign a grant-contract which set out the
conditions associated with the funding.
Since being launched in January 2010 the Cockermouth Shopfront
Heritage Grant Scheme has proven extremely popular with a
high take-up of grants. Recognising the wider value to the
town of an attractive and welcoming streetscape, local retailers
have embraced and supported the vision set out by the steering
group. Before and after photos of several of the
buildings which were refurbished can be downloaded
below.
Latest News
April 2012
Cockermouth Shopfront Heritage Grant Scheme wins two
national architectural awards.
In October 2011 the
scheme triumphed in the 'Restoration of a Georgian Building
in an Urban Setting' category of the 2011 Georgian Group
Architectural Awards.
The Georgian Group’s judging panel, who had
received a record number of entries for the 2011 awards, said of
the Cockermouth Shopfront Scheme: “We were deeply impressed by the
determination of the local authority and community to bring
something positive out of adversity.
“The flooding must have been a serious shock
to the system but far from being defeated Cockermouth seems to have
emerged stronger – it is the kind of robust response that other
communities that have suffered trials in recent months, albeit
through man-made rather than natural disasters, would do well to
study.
“We congratulate Cockermouth on its resilience
and positive attitude and for recognizing that caring for its
physical fabric, in the shape of its historic buildings, is both a
powerful statement of intent and a tonic in times of trouble.”
Then in March 2012 the scheme picked
up a 'Community Recognition' award at the National Civic Trust
Awards in Edinburgh. A national
panel judged the project to have brought about significant
“positive social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits to
the local community”.
The Cockermouth Shopfront Scheme was one of
just 35 award winning projects from over 300 national and
international entries to the Civic
Trust Awards. The scheme was up againts entries
from Spain, Canada, Russia, Haiti, Iceland, Denmark and
Thailand.