One of the Town Deal schemes in Millom has taken another step forward following the appointment of a specialist.

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.

It will see work get underway at the property in St George’s Road to create a range of facilities including a cafe, maker’s market, small retail spaces, workshops and studios.

Millom Town Deal which was awarded £20.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund to help the town and its communities to thrive in the future. An additional £8.7 million was secured in match funding.

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

“This represents another step forward for this project and starts the journey in transforming this redundant facility into a new community asset”.

“We need to be mindful that each of our four projects will evolve at a different pace, noting they have their own unique regulatory and approval processes that must be met”.

“For this project, with planning permission now secured and the appointment of Day Cummins Ltd we can get on with the job of delivering this project as part of the whole Town Deal programme”,

“We will of course continue to provide timely updates on the other projects as we reach key project milestones”.

“The Arts and Enterprise Centre is an integral part of the town deal project.”

The key highlights of the Arts and Enterprise Hub include:

• Some extensions to the property which are not in keeping with its architectural style or the setting of the building within the town centre conservation area would be demolished.
• The ground floor would then become home to a cafe, maker’s market and small retail spaces showcasing the products of those operating from four start-up business spaces on the first floor and three workshops, studios and shared studio space on the second floor.