Plans approved to revive 1930s cinema

The building on Senhouse Street, Maryport, dates from the 1830s

Plans have been approved to turn a former cinema into a cultural hub.

The former Carlton cinema on Senhouse Street in Maryport will be transformed into an event space, artists workshops and sound studios.

The building started life in the 1830s as a bank, before becoming a cinema and latterly a pottery business.

Councillors voted unanimously to redevelop the building, which will cost £11m and is hoped will be completed by April 2024.

The revamped building will include a flexible event space, workshop areas for crafts and sound studios

The adjacent building in Senhouse Street will be knocked down and replaced with a new main entrance to the site as well as a café, box office and artists’ displays.

Former leader of Allerdale Borough Council Alan Smith told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that previous plans for the Carleton have fallen through and he hoped the redevelopment would be successful.

He said : “Various people have tried to do something with the Carlton. It’s seen as a bit of a money pit.

"If, like other ventures at the Carlton, you run out of money from the government grant [the Future High Streets scheme], where would you find the subsequent funding to finish the job off?"

He was assured by Kimberley Corrall from project team that there were "significant funds" to deliver the scheme, with work already carried out by a quantity surveyor.

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