Last updated at 10:08, Wednesday, 22 August 2012

BRITAIN’S Energy Coast has awarded more than £5.3 million to projects ranging from a new office complex to support the area’s growing energy sector to the revamp of a theatre and creation of marina berths.

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The Board of West Cumbria’s nuclear-funded development agency has agreed a funding package of £2.2m in a speculative office development called Pillar House at the prime business location of Westlakes Science & Technology Park, Whitehaven, and decided to invest £400,000 in doubling the capacity of Blencathra Business Centre, Threlkeld, near Keswick, for a wide range of small businesses.

A sum of £1.1m has been given towards the total £4.5m cost of revamping Rosehill Theatre, near Whitehaven; another £1.2m to undertake much-needed improvements to the walls at Maryport Harbour and construct a new boathouse for Maryport In-Shore Rescue Boat Service; and a further £365,000 towards a project to improve the tourism offer at Whitehaven Marina by creating 140 new berths, a cruise ship taxi terminal and office space.

The £5.3m investment from Britain’s Energy Coast will either match or help to unlock more than £4.5m of funding from other sources to deliver some of the projects. The BEC Board includes the funders, Nuclear Management Partners, Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, as well as independent members and local authority representatives from Allerdale, Copeland and Cumbria County Council.

Rt Hon Brian Wilson, Chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast, said: “This round of funding demonstrates the breadth of our commitment to creating opportunities for businesses and communities in West Cumbria. The funding for Pillar House and expansion of Blencathra Business Centre signal our ambition to provide high quality accommodation for growing businesses, particularly in the energy sector.

“Our investment in Whitehaven Marina and Maryport Harbour shows our commitment to enhancing coastal assets while Rosehill Theatre will further improve cultural facilities for local people and visitors alike. We look forward to work starting on all of these projects in order to continue the momentum that is gathering behind our efforts in West Cumbria.”

Mr Wilson added: “Some of these projects have been around for a long time and we took account of expectations that have been raised and the work that has gone into them. From here on, we will be able to prioritise projects strictly in accordance with the West Cumbria Economic Blueprint, which all of the participants in Britain’s Energy Coast have endorsed.”

Britain’s Energy Coast is already funding a number of other high profile capital schemes in West Cumbria including the Britain’s Energy Coast Construction Skills Centre, Lillyhall (£4m with Nuclear Management Partners); the Albion Square office complex, Whitehaven (£3m with Nuclear Management Partners); and significant improvements to the Port of Workington (£5.65m with Nuclear Management Partners and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority). BEC is also supporting a two-year Destination Management programme which is being run by West Cumbria Tourism with the aim of increasing the profile and number of visitors to the region.

This is in addition to a number of business support programmes funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning  Authority, including Linkstart for start-ups and Backing Business, which helps companies to grow.

First published at 14:31, Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Published by http://www.in-cumbria.com