The drive to reinvigorate Penrith Town Hall has reached a key milestone after Westmorland and Furness Council's Cabinet approved an outline business case and agreed to prepare a full business case later this financial year.

The vision would open up the historic building as a cultural focal point, designed to complement and strengthen Penrith's creative and community offer.

Early proposals set out a flexible 100–120 seat performance and events space; adaptable creative and community rooms; dedicated areas for performance, rehearsal and education; youth and creative digital provision; a café/bar supported by a commercial kitchen run as a community kitchen; digital skills and innovation facilities; and rentable office and meeting rooms.

A formal consultation will also begin on a proposal to move the Penrith and Eden Museum service into the refurbished town hall. A detailed full business case is scheduled to return to Cabinet in December for a final decision.

Councillor Helen Chaffey, Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said: "Penrith Town Hall is a beautiful building with so much to offer the community. We have a wonderful opportunity to create something with real and lasting benefits. We have spent considerable time listening to groups and organisations tell us their views and aspirations for it to be a vibrant, community-focused facility that complements and enhances the wider cultural offer across Eden.

-- Advertisement --

"We see the hub as an inclusive and inspiring space for people of all ages to be supported in their creative development and pursuits, and where self-expression is encouraged.

"I am delighted that we have reached this stage in the journey and look forward to seeing the plans take shape and develop into a detailed scheme. What we have agreed today will give the very best return on this grant, which would have to be returned if not used for this project, and create an asset which Penrith can be proud of."

Members also agreed not to proceed with the Eden Enterprise Hub planned for 2–3 Market Square, concluding it would not be financially sustainable in the long term.

Since the funding was first approved, the council's financial position has tightened due to the Government’s Fair Funding Review, rising costs and increasing demand for essential services. Forecast costs associated with the Market Square building indicated the Enterprise Hub would likely require ongoing subsidy from the authority.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government last year approved a £7.09m Local Regeneration Fund grant for the Inspiring Eden programme, which encompassed both the creative and community hub at the town hall and an Enterprise Hub at 2–3 Market Square.

The outline budget for the town hall stands at £5.740m, subject to the outcome of the full business case. A further £500,000 from the Borderlands Place Programme will also contribute to the Creative and Community Hub.

Up to £2.03 million of the funding initially earmarked for the Enterprise Hub will be redirected to other regeneration priorities across Penrith and Eden.