A bid for around £25m of funding to support a number of transformational regeneration projects in Workington has been submitted to Government.

Allerdale Borough Council has today (October 30) formally submitted its bid to the Government’s Towns Fund, a £3.6bn pot which aims to level-up funding and opportunities for communities across the country.

Workington was one of more than 100 towns across the country invited to bid to the fund with the now-submitted proposals developed by the Workington Town Deal board, a mix of public, private and voluntary sector partners, following public consultation earlier this year.

The projects, which include creating a ‘sports village’ and an innovation centre/co-working space, gained strong support from the public and partner organisations. 

The other projects included in Workington Town Investment Plan are: 

• Improving the town centre’s public spaces and connectivity  
• Developing a logistics and clean energy hub at the Port of Workington  
• Developing a digital skills programme    
• Redeveloping the former opera house site in town centre and in the short-term creating space for local businesses to trade, for example through providing a street food offer  

The bid has been approved by members of the Town Deal board and the council’s Executive and was formally signed-off this week by Cllr Mike Johnson, Deputy Leader of the council, Andrew Seekings, the council’s Chief Executive and John Coughlan, CEO of TSP Engineering and chair of the board.  

Cllr Johnson said:

“It’s great to finally be able to formally submit our proposals to Government. We’re confident we’ve put together a really strong business case which we know has the backing of the local community. Fingers crossed for a positive outcome.”  

John Coughlan said:

“The board would like to thank everyone who has worked on this bid and all those who took the time to get involved with the various stages of consultation. In my opinion we’ve all put together a fantastic submission which, if successful, will be really transformative for our town and the wider west Cumbria region.” 

Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington and member of the board, said:

“I would like to thank those who have worked very hard to pull together such an innovative list of projects to create a plan that will transform and grow Workington.

“The six priority projects that have been identified are well aimed at helping the town to deliver its potential as the main commercial, civic and community hub for west Cumbria. I fully support the good mix of improvements for employment, skills, our local environment and enterprise as well as provision for grassroot sports and public realm improvements. 

“I want to see Workington succeed and I am confident that this Town Investment Plan, if successful, will achieve this aim.”