On 4 May, the Maryport regeneration team submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of the old Carlton Cinema building in the town. This sets out plans to revitalise the building, which was originally built in the 1830s, making it a community asset and a key visitor attraction.

Currently vacant, The Carlton is a large prominent building on the corner of Senhouse Street and High Street, which sits opposite the Town Hall. It has great potential to accommodate a mixed use, creative venue at the heart of the town centre and West Cumbria. 

With a focus for local artists and crafts, music, theatre and entertainment, if approved, the plans aim to reinvigorate The Carlton into a flexible performance space with café bar, box office, flexible artists’ studio and sound studios for use by local music, podcast and radio groups. 

It is envisaged that the performance space will also be available for use by local schools and community groups to stage their own events. 

If approved, the existing yard at the rear of the building will be renovated and restored to provide a landscaped courtyard.

The proposal includes the full demolition of the neighbouring property at 28 Senhouse Street and removal and replacement of part of the external walls of The Carlton. 

This neighbouring property has fallen into disrepair. Therefore, demolition will not only remove an unattractive building on the street, but also allows more external open space for the Carlton cinema development. It also means that the impact of the planned changes on the structure of the Carlton building can be limited.

The plan forms part of the Council’s commitment to regeneration in Maryport, and to improve the town for both residents and visitors as well as attract further investment. 

Leader of Allerdale Borough Council, Councillor Mike Johnson, said: “I’m delighted to see this application being submitted. Maryport’s regeneration is very much part of our delivery plan for the next year and I’m sure this would make a fantastic addition to the town. 

“I would like to encourage people from across Allerdale to look at the proposed plans for themselves and have their say on what could be a real community asset and visitor attraction.”  

The planning application can be viewed on the council’s website.

The plans form part of the Council’s bid to the Government’s Town’s Fund. The application and plans have been put together by BEC working in partnership with the council.

BEC have been working with the Allerdale Maryport Regeneration team since the outset of the original Future High Streets bid back in 2019 and are now working as a Development Partner to deliver the redevelopment of the Carlton building.