Improvement plans for Cleator Moor have moved forward with the planning approval of plans to create a new community hub.
Revitalised Town, part of the Cleator Town Deal, aims to tackle the issue of underutilised buildings and improve the presentation and perception of Cleator Moor town centre, making the town more attractive to investors and providing skills and employment opportunities for local people.
A new public services and cultural community hub will be created by reconfiguring and linking two existing buildings in the Town Square - the library and the former Credit Union building.
A new café annexe will incorporate a commercial kitchen to the lower ground floor.
The hub will look to provide a range of new facilities such as exhibition and arts space and services for youth provision.
The library will be reconfigured with improved reading space and internet access.
There will also be a programme of work to enhance the appearance and ambience of the Town Square.
Additional information was submitted to an existing planning application in late 2025, which sought approval for the extension and alteration of the existing buildings to create a community hub including café. The relocation of existing sculptures, public realm improvements, the restoration of the Memorial Fountain, new landscaped areas and accessibility improvements were also included in the plans.
Cleator Moor Town Deal secured an award of £22.5m from the Government's Towns Fund. Revitalised Town is one of four projects that make up the Cleator Moor Town Deal The project is being managed by Cumberland Council.
Bob Metcalfe, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said:
How about “The hub will look to provide a range of new facilities such as exhibition and arts space and services for youth provision, as well as providing high-quality office space in the heart of the town centre”.
The project will include public realm improvements to Cleator Moor Town Square:
o Fountain to be restored (subject to formal agreement from Cleator Moor Town Council).
o New bus shelter put in (in the same location).
o Improved seating, planting and hard-landscaped areas.
o Artworks and memorials cleaned and repositioned where required.
o Improved public lighting scheme.
o New electric vehicle (E.V.) charging points installed
o New bike racks installed.
o New CCTV cameras installed to monitor the Town Square
The works aim to start in late spring 2026 and be completed in summer 2027.
Day Cummins Ltd. has been appointed as the architect for the scheme.
A refurbishment of the PEC Phase 3 building also forms part of the Revitalised Town project and was completed in December 2025. It includes a new internal layout to improve accessibility and how the space is used.
The PEC Phase 3 building is owned by Cumberland Council and let to Phoenix Enterprise Centre (PEC) on a long-term lease. PEC is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company and sub-let the building as office space.
The first and second floors are already fully let with the new tenants now operating from the building. Any businesses looking to let space within the building should contact [email protected] or call 01946 813555.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer said:
“It is great to see progress being made. Work continues on other parts of the Town Deal projects and momentum continues to build across this transformational programme.”
For more information on the Cleator Moor Town Deal visit: cleatormoortowndeal.org.uk