Millom’s Historic Old Bank Restored And Handed Over To Cumberland Council
Millom’s historic Old Bank has been restored and formally handed over to Cumberland Council, marking a major step in plans to bring the building back into active use.
The former NatWest building has undergone an extensive refurbishment carried out by Story Contracting Ltd. The project is the first scheme to be completed through the Millom Town Deal regeneration programme. Funding for the wider programme includes £20.6 million secured through the Government’s Towns Fund, alongside match funding from Sellafield Ltd.
The restoration represents an investment in one of Millom’s historic buildings and is intended to support the town’s wider regeneration. With the refurbishment now complete, attention is turning towards the next stage of the project and the future use of the building. Final lease arrangements are currently being prepared for the premises.
Local business owners Samantha and Andrew Bowden are expected to take over the building once those arrangements are completed. The couple have plans to establish a bistro within The Old Bank, creating a new food and drink destination in the centre of Millom. Their plans also extend beyond hospitality and include opportunities for local businesses and community groups.
The proposed venue is intended to provide space for local makers and creatives alongside areas that can be used for community events. This would give the restored building a broader role within the town, allowing it to support both commercial activity and community use. The plans are designed to encourage more people to visit and spend time in the town centre.
The bistro will form a central part of the proposed operation, with the owners planning to provide food and drink throughout the day. The wider concept is intended to create a welcoming destination that can be used by local residents as well as visitors to Millom. The owners also expect the business to create employment and support local suppliers.
The Bowdens said their plans are focused on creating a vibrant destination at the heart of the town. They said the building has the potential to become something special for Millom while retaining its historic identity and character. Their vision includes space that can accommodate makers, creatives, small businesses and a range of events.
The project is also expected to contribute to the wider economic activity of the town centre. The future operators aim to increase footfall, create jobs and encourage people to spend more time in Millom. They also intend to work with local suppliers and businesses as the venue becomes established.
David Savage, chair of the Millom Town Deal Board, described the completion as an important milestone for the town. He said the Old Bank was the first project delivered through the Town Deal regeneration programme and represented a long overdue investment in Millom’s future. The scheme is intended to support new opportunities and partnerships as the town continues its regeneration.
Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer also welcomed the completion of the restoration. He said the project had preserved an important part of Millom’s heritage while creating opportunities for future use. He added that the building would provide benefits for residents and visitors once it is brought fully into operation.
Sellafield Ltd has also supported the project through its social impact investment. Tracey West, the company's head of social impact, said the investment approach was intended to bring partners together, attract additional funding and create lasting benefits for communities. She described the Old Bank as an example of how this approach can help turn regeneration ambitions into a completed project.
The restoration is part of a broader programme aimed at supporting Millom's future development. The Town Deal funding provides resources for projects intended to improve the town and create new opportunities for residents, businesses and visitors. The Old Bank is now the first completed project under that programme.
The building's future use is expected to combine commercial and community purposes rather than serving a single function. The planned bistro will provide the main hospitality element, while additional areas are expected to support local creatives, small businesses and community activities. This approach is intended to make the restored property useful throughout the day and for a range of different users.
For Samantha and Andrew Bowden, taking responsibility for the historic property represents both an opportunity and a significant commitment. They said they are looking forward to putting their own mark on the building while respecting its history. With restoration work completed and lease arrangements progressing, the next stage will be preparing the Old Bank to open its doors and begin its new role in Millom.
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