'Forgotten town's' £2m arts centre approved

With planning permission granted, an architect is being sought to deliver the scheme

Plans to turn a former bank into a £2m arts centre have been approved.

Permission has been granted for the building in Millom, Cumbria, to be turned into a community space with a cafe, a maker’s market and studios.

The project forms part of a government-funded scheme to regenerate Millom and Haverigg.

David Savage, chairman of the Millom Town Deal board, said: "The arts and enterprise centre is an integral part of the transformation of a forgotten town into something quite extraordinary."

Work on the St George’s Road building includes the demolition of some extensions which are not in keeping with the town centre's conservation area.

The ground floor will house a café, makers' market and small retail space.

The latter would showcase the products of those operating from four start-up business spaces on the first floor and three workshops, studios and shared studio spaces on the second floor.

Efforts are being made to appoint an architect to deliver the plans.

The Millom Town Deal includes three further projects - The Iron Line, Connected Millom and Haverigg and Activating Community Health.

They will see a new tourist attraction being created on the coastal lagoon, a community and leisure hub with a pool and 3G sports pitches and changes to transport networks.