The number of people visiting Maryport Activity Centre has more than doubled after the building was improved as part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration of the town.
New figures from the venue show that between January and May 2024, 2,588 people used the venue. This has increased by 159% for the same period in 2025, with 6,711 visitors experiencing what the building has to offer.
The interior of Maryport Activity Centre was transformed by the investment which came from central government. An amazing marine-themed adventure play area has been created, the existing Clip n’ Climb attraction has been improved, the gym has been expanded, and a new fitness studio and changing rooms created. There are café facilities again and party rooms and community spaces are now available for hire.
The children’s activities in particular are proving incredibly popular, as they’ve given the chance for the littlest visitors to play inside when the weather isn’t kind, while older children love the new climbing challenges. Group and party bookings are proving hugely popular with the diary rapidly filling up.
Meanwhile, gym memberships have increased by 48% as teens and adults alike take advantage of the larger and better-equipped space.
The increase in footfall echoes a trend taking place in the town centre too. Automatic sensors outside the Town Hall, another regeneration project on Senhouse Street, showed that footfall in April was up 15.8% on the same month last year, with nearly 50,000 people recorded passing the building during the month.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer, said:
“This is the whole point of our regeneration programme - making places bigger, better and brighter to attract more people and boost the local economy.
“We knew there was so much more we could do with Maryport Activity Centre and now we are seeing the impact of these improvements which have made it into a brilliant family friendly destination.”
Photo Credit: Tom Kay Photographic