Historic England’s director for the North and Levelling Up visited Maryport to see how almost £1.1 million of funding is being used to help transform the harbour town.

Trevor Mitchell met with Mark Jenkinson MP and Councillor Mike Johnson, leader of Allerdale Borough Council (ABC), to see the ongoing initiatives taking place.

Times and Star: Mark Jenkinson MP, Trevor Mitchell, Cllr Mike Johnson, Helen Brownlie and Jane JacksonMark Jenkinson MP, Trevor Mitchell, Cllr Mike Johnson, Helen Brownlie and Jane Jackson (Image: Historic England)

The High Street Heritage Action Zone was set up in 2020 by ABC, Historic England and other local partners. It is delivering more than £560,000 of government funding, alongside additional investment from the borough council and the Future High Street Fund programme which brings the total to £1,076,650.

Mr Mitchell said: “It was a privilege to visit Maryport alongside Mark and our council partners, to talk with local people involved in the programme and see at first hand what a difference is being made.

Times and Star: Joanne Spencer and Jeremy Hewitson of Allerdale Council show Trevor Mitchell inside Christ Church, a building listed by HIstoric EnglandJoanne Spencer and Jeremy Hewitson of Allerdale Council show Trevor Mitchell inside Christ Church, a building listed by HIstoric England (Image: Historic England)

"We’re seeing Maryport’s unique heritage being harnessed to draw in investment for the high street and involving the community to improve lives and enhance people’s sense of pride in their home town.

"Together we are creating more reasons to visit the town centre and more places to live in it.”

Times and Star: The Knoxwood charity shop - part of the Shopfront SchemeThe Knoxwood charity shop - part of the Shopfront Scheme (Image: Historic England)

Local businesses are also involved, with buildings in Senhouse Street soon to become a banking hub with upstairs residential conversions.

Other shop fronts which have benefitted from the scheme include the Heron Foods supermarket and the Knoxwood shop on Senhouse Street, with more in progress.

Premises in Curzon Street will become home to a pop-up Maritime Museum with more residential accommodation above.

In addition to providing direct funding, the High Street Heritage Action Zone is complementing the Future High Street Fund programme in the town.

That includes bringing 16 additional residential units back in to use in the Love Maryport Living scheme.

Times and Star: The team look at the Paint the Town colours on the former Carlton CinemaThe team look at the Paint the Town colours on the former Carlton Cinema (Image: Historic England)

Historic England has supported the effort through new listings of historic buildings, and undertaking research into Maryport’s heritage to help inform and shape the overall package of improvements.

The capital spending programme is supported by the work of a local cultural consortium which is working with people in the town to celebrate the past, present, and future of Maryport.

Friday’s visit included the Irish Street ‘Latrine’ public loos mural, the first cultural programme project, created by Maryport artist Alan Roper.

Mr Jenkinson said: “The sense of pride in the town, which I see as really important to the idea of levelling up, is palpable when you look at the improvements and speak with local people.”

Cllr Johnson said: "It was great to welcome representatives of Historic England to discuss the work we are doing to transform Maryport. We are involved in a number of exciting projects to be proud of.

"We’re working hard to revive, regenerate and restore this town.”