A local contractor has been appointed to undertake the design and build of a new activity and leisure facility in Millom and Haverigg.

Thomas Armstrong, based in the Cumberland area, will support the Millom Town Deal Board and Cumberland Council to deliver the scheme.

The new activity and leisure facility is part of the Activating Community Health projects and is one of four projects that make up the Millom Town Deal which secured £20.6m from the UK Government’s Town’s Fund alongside a further £8.7m in match funding.

The project will offer a swimming pool, sports hall and fitness studios within the setting of a community and leisure hub.

It aims to improve levels of community health and well-being by providing residents with a modern, multi-purpose and fully inclusive facility.

In addition, it would attract visitors to the town which will also support the long-term financial sustainability of this new leisure facility alongside increased footfall and a boost to overall levels of spending within local businesses.

David Savage, the Chair of Millom Town Deal Board, said:

“I understand how important this project is to the community and I am pleased to offer this long-awaited update. The appointment of Thomas Armstrong is a significant step forward on the journey to transform plans into a valued new facility for the Town.

“We are also actively working hard to engage with potential operators for this new exciting development.

“With Thomas Armstrong now onboard to focus on the design and build, we can prepare for the next key milestone in securing planning permission. We will of course keep you updated as this project continues to build momentum.”

Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, added:

“This is one of a number of exciting schemes we are taking forward across the Cumberland area which have the potential to make a significant difference to people’s lives. It is great to see progress being made and a contractor appointed.”

Work continues on other parts of the Town Deal projects.

The latest plans for a scheme to improve ways to move around Millom and Haverigg sustainably were shared with the community on Wednesday 6 March at a drop-in public engagement event at Millom Guide Hall.

Once completed, the Connecting Millom and Haverigg project will make it easier and safer for people to move around Millom and Haverigg on foot, by bicycle and by incorporating the needs of those with limited mobility.

Cumberland Council has appointed Day Cummins Ltd to provide a team of experts from different fields to progress the designs, carry out procurement of a contractor and oversee the construction works for the creation of the Arts and Enterprise Centre in Millom which is part of the Reactivating Heritage Buildings project.

The transformation of a former bank into a new arts and enterprise centre for the community of Millom and Haverigg has recently been granted planning permission for the £2 million scheme.