Maryport's police station for sale

The station and magistrates court, in Eaglesfield Street, will be sold in a public auction at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Thursday.

The 5,790sq ft building, which is at least 150 years old, includes office space, reception areas, cells, staff facilities and garage space.

Town mayor Linda Radcliffe said she felt a mixture of emotions including sadness to see the building go.

She said: "It means this is a final farewell to a permanent police presence in the town and confirmation that things have changed and moved on, perhaps for the better.

"It was always reassuring to have our police station there with officers on standby.

"It's good that the building is going to be used, I just hope that it's going to be used appropriately.

"What I mean by that is that somebody's not going to do something totally outlandish with a lovely old Victorian building.

"I do hope that it will be something that brings employment into Maryport and if not then something that will enhance life in the town for as many people as possible."

Front counter police services in Maryport stopped in 2013 and the station closed in October 2014 after the sell-off of several Cumbria Constabulary buildings was announced in 2011.

The sale was launched to help slash costs following a review of all stations, offices and buildings to see if they provided value for money and met the needs of communities.

Stations in Cockermouth and Keswick were also among those chosen to be sold.

Cockermouth police station was sold for £241,000 in December 2011 because it was said to be no longer fit for purpose.

Keswick police station sold for £327,000 in July 2013 and was adapted by pub chain JD Wetherspoon into a pub.

A police desk is set up in the Maryport's Co-op supermarket between 11.30am and 1.30pm every Wednesday for people to speak to officers.

Drop-ins are also held in Ewanrigg and Netherton Community Centre between 1.30pm and 3pm on the first Tuesday of every month.