Prior to being elected to Westminster I was Deputy Leader of Allerdale Borough Council with responsibility for Economic Growth, and I led the creation of a bid to the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) for Maryport. In 2020, having been elected as a Member of Parliament, I secured the highest funded bid (as a proportion of the full original bid) in the country.
I was as disappointed as you when Cumberland Council decided not to proceed with a new swimming pool, but I worked with them and with Levelling Up Ministers to secure a new package.
I love Maryport; I love the place and its people. The history, the architecture – every street tells a story. I chose Maryport as the base for my office as soon as I was elected, breaking with all of my predecessors who chose Workington. I have family here in the town, and I have great memories of Maryport when I was younger.
But I’ve always thought it just needed a little hand up, a departure from the managed decline that some considered inevitable. I know that you believe in Maryport, just as I do, and there are many individuals and businesses who deserve real credit for the way they’ve persevered to put Maryport on the map – far too many to list here. We know that Maryport’s best days are ahead of us.
I’ve fought for Maryport at every turn, and now we can see our efforts starting to bear fruit already, with work happening up and down the town. We’ve proven the doubters wrong.
It started with the renewal of the front of Herons, so it was more in keeping with Senhouse Street, and has ramped up since then. Everywhere you turn there’s scaffolding, construction works and excitement of regeneration.
I brought the Banking Hub to Maryport, one of the first in the country, with access to more banks in the town than we’ve had for decades. Speaking at the official opening, the Chief Commercial Officer said:
“This whole project came about as a direct result of Mark approaching Link. Without his intervention and assistance, this service would simply not be available on the high street.”
We’ve seen improvements to the public realm – parking, street furniture, signage, trees and flowerbeds; we’ve seen empty shops and flats being brought back into use; we’re seeing the revival of the Carlton as an entertainment hub, and of the Christ Church as an art gallery; we’re bringing life back to the Promenade and we’re turning Maryport into a tourist destination to rival any other.
Below is a full update of all the projects, and you can download a pdf newsletter further down this page. If you have any questions on this or need help with other matter, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Maryport Future High Street Fund Update
The Boardwalk
The new accessible pathway joining the promenade and harbourside is now complete and is being well used. The planting areas to the rear will be planted this spring, with wildflower seeds chosen to be bee friendly and thrive in this coastal environment.
Public Realm Improvements
The public realm improvements in Senhouse Street are now largely complete.
The lower end of Senhouse Street has been resurfaced with improvement to the pavements and parking as well as the installation of new planters and seating areas. New marked off-street parking bays have been created at the top of Furnace Lane.
A new pocket park has been created at the corner of Crosby Street and John Street and the raised planting bays have been planted up by community volunteers. A local artist, working with local volunteers, has also created new street art on the rear wall to complement the mural behind it on the wall of the Butcher’s Arms pub.
Fantastic new signs have been installed throughout the town, signposting routes to the main attractions and services.
Love Maryport Living
The project to create a total of 16 new flats above shops in Senhouse Street is now largely completed and a number of the new units have been marketed. The final properties are due to be finished off imminently.
Maryport Activity Centre
Following a public vote the Wave will be renamed as Maryport Activity Centre. Planning permission has been granted for alterations to the building and the centre will be closed at the end of May to allow works to take place.
The new and improved Maryport Activity Centre will include a new adventure play centre for young children, improvements to the Clip n’ Climb attraction, new multipurpose studio space, a community meeting space, party rooms, and a better gymnasium will all be created.
Outside there will be a new bike hub, along with more attractive landscaping. The entrance area will also be improved.
Harbourside Events Space
A planning application has been submitted to create a new events space on the grassed area next to the Shiver Me Timbers Play area.
It is expected to include a purpose-built stage for live entertainment with amphitheatre-style banking where the audience can sit. There will also be a bar created from repurposed shipping containers, and a marquee space which will be flexible for different events, whether that’s the Taste Cumbria food festival, pop-up music or family festivals, or even markets.
Play Area
The aged Shiver Me Timbers play park on the harbourside is to be replaced with a colourful new adventure play area and a splash park. A public consultation took place recently to choose the design with 1500 people taking part, including more than 130 children voting through their schools. 70% of respondents chose the ‘Pirate’ themed design.
The new play area will incorporate a splash park, something which ranks highly with locals when asked, along with slides, swings, a zipwire and more. The facilities will be designed for youngsters of all ages, including those who need accessible play equipment, and there will be seating for parents and carers.
The final site plan is now being finalised and work is due to start and finish this summer.
Promenade
A planning application is to be submitted for a new café building on the site of the disused toilet block on the Promenade. A tenant is being sought to operate the new café with the property being marketed by property agent Edwin Thompson.
A new stake park and wheeled sports facility will be built adjacent to the cafe. Following a recent tender exercise and consultation with stakeholders a contract for the construction of this new facility will be awarded imminently.
Cumberland Council is currently undertaking some related works to improve the hard and soft landscaping close to the café site and around Sea Brow Gardens
Christ Church
The works to refurbish Christ Church to provide a new permanent home for Maryport Maritime Museum are well underway with scaffolding now taken down from the exterior of the building. Once the building works have been completed a separate contractor will move in to complete the fit out of the new museum.
The former home of the Maritime Museum at Shipping Brow has now opened as an art gallery.
The Carlton
Construction works to convert the former Carlton Cinema to a new community arts, music, and theatre venue is well underway. The ground floor of the building has been lowered to create a large performance space, and obstructive interior walls have been removed to maximise the capacity. On the upper floors, original windows have been reinstated and rooflights fitted. The first floor will be workshop space for creatives, with rehearsal and sound recording rooms. The second floor will become additional commercial space, which could be offices or additional creative space, depending on the future tenants.
Following discussions with stakeholders a planning application was submitted, and recently approved, to amend the scheme to increase the audience capacity in the main ground floor auditorium and to ensure that the space is as flexible as possible for the future.
