Former Maryport Cinema To Reopen As £12m Entertainment And Business Hub
A landmark former cinema in Maryport is set to reopen as a major entertainment and business hub following a £12 million regeneration project designed to bring new activity, enterprise and visitors into the town centre.
The Carlton, on Senhouse Street, has been transformed as part of Cumberland Council's wider regeneration programme for Maryport. The redevelopment has converted the former cinema and an adjoining previously derelict building into a new destination combining performance, entertainment, office and workshop space.
The ground floor will feature a performance and events space designed to provide a new venue for entertainment and community activity. Performances are expected to begin later in the year, giving the building a new role within Maryport's cultural and social life after standing unused for an extended period.
Seven offices and workshops have been created on the upper floor as part of the project. The spaces are unfurnished and wheelchair accessible and will be available to rent, providing opportunities for businesses, organisations and individuals looking for accommodation within the town centre.
The development is intended to support both the cultural and economic regeneration of Maryport. By combining an entertainment venue with dedicated business accommodation, the project aims to encourage more people to visit the town while also creating opportunities for local enterprise and employment.
Maryport Horizons Community Interest Company will operate The Carlton on behalf of Cumberland Council. The organisation is led by local people and has a stated aim of helping to revitalise the local economy and strengthen the town's long term prospects.
The project has received financial backing from Cumberland Council, central government and Sellafield Ltd. Sellafield has contributed £400,000 through its Social Impact Multiplied programme, supporting the regeneration of the building and its return to community and commercial use.
Cumberland Council leader Councillor Mark Fryer said the completion of The Carlton would provide a significant boost to the Maryport economy. He described the building as an asset for the wider Cumberland area and highlighted the importance of bringing town centre venues back into active use.
The council has identified regeneration of Maryport as a wider priority, with The Carlton forming part of a broader programme of investment in the town. The project is intended to make the centre a more attractive place for residents, businesses and visitors while supporting economic activity.
The redevelopment also gives a historic building a new purpose within the town. The Carlton has undergone a substantial transformation from its former use as a cinema, with the completed project creating space for performances alongside facilities intended to support businesses and creative activity.
Sellafield Ltd's head of social impact, Tracey West, said the company was pleased to support the project and described the investment as part of its commitment to helping communities thrive. She said the redevelopment would bring a much loved community asset back into use while supporting regeneration and local enterprise.
Maryport Horizons director Catherine Eve said the organisation's involvement was focused on attracting people who would spend time and money in the town. She said increased visitor activity could benefit surrounding businesses and contribute to the wider community and local economy.
The new venue is scheduled to begin opening to the public from September, with performances being planned for later in the year. The arrival of new events is expected to provide another reason for residents and visitors to spend time in the town centre.
The office and workshop accommodation also provides a separate opportunity for the building to support Maryport's business community. With seven accessible spaces available to rent, The Carlton could accommodate a range of enterprises while bringing additional workers and visitors into the town centre.
The completion of the project represents a significant stage in Maryport's wider regeneration programme. With entertainment, community activity and business accommodation brought together under one roof, The Carlton is expected to become a new focal point for the town as it begins its next chapter.
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