In July 2019, Copeland Council was invited to submit a bid to the Government for investment for Whitehaven as part of the Future High Streets Fund (FHSF). An outline of the business case that was developed has been made public today.
Developing a community digital hub
The council propose to convert 6 Duke Street – the former Whittles building - into a community digital hub.
Making the most of the C2C
Their is also a proposal to develop a cycle hub on the former Barclays Bank site, offering bike sales, bike hire, e-bikes, bike storage, repairs, juice bar and guided tours. The hub would be linked with a seafood restaurant with cycle-friendly accommodation on Marlborough Street.
This would improve the start of the C2C as a flagship of the town, drawing in leisure and cycle tourism and make the most of Whitehaven’s position of hosting three national cycle routes and linking into Cumbria's Hidden Coast.
Creating residential opportunities
Copeland Borough Council propose to develop residential opportunities, focusing on the needs of young professionals and post-graduate students, with access to communal leisure and workspace.
Developing the streetscene and public realm
It is proposed to develop connections between King Street and the harbour, with new arcades created between King Street and Strand Street offering food court, artisan and small-scale leisure spaces
These connections would be supported by enhancement of the public realm along King Street and the extension of the “Streetscapes” concept along Strand Street. This would support pedestrian users and the creation of safe cycling routes, connecting the harbourside start of the C2C with the off-road route that takes the cyclists on their journey.
