The council put together an ‘expression of interest’ for money from the now £1bn fund earlier in the year and over the weekend the Government announced that an additional 50 places would benefit from the fund, Maryport being one of them.

If successful in gaining funding, the pot of money could be used to improve transport and access into town centres, convert empty retail units into new homes and workplaces, and invest in vital infrastructure. It is hoped that the funding will be used to help high streets all over the country adopt and adapt to changes in the retail industry.

The council has already established, with help from the local community, a new regeneration scheme for Maryport which is developing a programme of improvements for the promenade, harbour, Downstreet area and town centre, as well as planning a series of events, to make the town more attractive to visitors and local residents. The Future High Streets Fund bid will concentrate on initiatives in the town centre.

The bid was devised by council officer Paul Taylor, who has joined head of service Graeme Wilson to work on the council’s regeneration efforts in the town and work out of their office at the town hall.  

Cllr Mark Jenkinson, Deputy Leader and Executive member for economic growth, said: “As a council we want to make sure all our town centres are as vibrant and successful as possible for residents and visitors.

“It is great news that we have been successful in reaching the next stage of this process and the project team will continue to work hard to bring a bright future to Maryport.”

Cllr Adrian Kirkbride, who represents the Maryport North ward is the Maryport town centre regeneration champion, said: “The aim of this project is to encourage people to visit Maryport and to have things in place to keep them in town longer.

“Maryport has so much to offer visitors and the residents of the town, for example there’s lots of history which we can shout about. I recently, along with some other councillors of the town visited the Maritime Museum and aquarium and there was so much enthusiasm and knowledge in there it would benefit everyone interested to visit, see and hear more of our local history.”

The bid is being supported by numerous Maryport businesses and groups, the LEP, Cumbria County Council, the town council, and Britain’s Energy Coast.