The doors of The Carlton, one of Maryport’s most prominent buildings will soon open to the public as an entertainment and events venue with office and workshop space also available to rent.
This landmark on Senhouse Street has been transformed as part of Cumberland Council’s £12 million regeneration of the town, with funding from the Council, central government and Sellafield Ltd. The former cinema, and a once-derelict building next door, has been reinvented as an entertainment and events venue with a performance space on the ground floor and business accommodation above.
Maryport Horizons Community Interest Company will be operating the building on the Council’s behalf. The venue will begin to open to the public from September 2026 with performances being planned for later in the year.
Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said:
“It is fantastic to see the completion of The Carlton. This is going to give a great boost to the Maryport economy and be an asset to the whole of Cumberland. Working with local partners like Maryport Horizons and opening venues like this in our town centres is crucial for ensuring they are places people want to live, work and visit and I am looking forward to seeing the positive impact The Carlton will bring.”
Tracey West, Head of Social Impact at Sellafield Ltd, said:
“We are delighted to see The Carlton opening and proud to have supported a project that will deliver lasting benefits for Maryport and the wider community. Helping our communities to thrive is a key priority of Sellafield Ltd.’s Social Impact Multiplied (SIX) programme, and our £400,000 investment in The Carlton reflects that commitment by supporting regeneration, encouraging local enterprise and bringing a much-loved community asset back to life.
“We look forward to seeing it become a vibrant hub for entertainment, enterprise and community activity for many years to come.”
The Maryport Horizons team is now ready to lease the fully accessible office spaces. There are seven in total, ranging from 11sqm to 26sqm in size, and they are all located on the first floor of the building. Tenants will share a light, bright communal kitchen and co-working space, and the offices are available on a rolling monthly contract. The rental price includes service charges and starts at £344 per month. The spaces are offered unfurnished and the building is fully wheelchair accessible with lifts to all floors and sections.
Catherine Eve, Director of Maryport Horizons, added:
“It is really exciting to be able to advertise these great spaces for rent as the first step in the opening of this amazing building. There is a definite shortage of quality office accommodation for small businesses in Maryport, so this is really filling a gap in the market.
“Maryport Horizons is run by local people with the aim of helping to revitalise the local economy and that is what this part of The Carlton project is all about. It is about attracting people who will go on to spend time and money in the town, benefiting the businesses around them. That will help the community and the surrounding areas thrive.”
Anyone interested in renting an office space or learning more about volunteering and work opportunities at The Carlton can call 07949568895 or email [email protected] to arrange a viewing.