Published: 03/07/2019
UNION Hall, one of Whitehaven’s most prominent buildings, has completed a remarkable £100,000 transformation.
Building owner, Donald Dixon has invested a significant amount of cash renovating the property on the corner of Lowther Street and Irish Street.
Mr Dixon will receive £10,000 from Copeland Borough Council towards the project through Copeland Mayor, Mike Starkie’s Pride of Place building grants scheme.
Mr Dixon has owned the building for around seven years, purchasing the vacant property from Cumbria County Council. Union Hall was originally the Whitehaven Poor Law Union, which supported the nearby workhouse on Low Road in times gone by.
Mr Dixon, said: “The Pride of Place scheme supported the transformation of Union Hall and I’d like to thank Mr Starkie and his team for their help.
“We hope that the building is now even more attractive to potential tenants.”
So far more than £650k has been invested in improving the appearance of commercial premises across the borough the scheme.
Copeland Council launched the Pride of Place building grants scheme in 2017 and so far 109 businesses throughout the borough have benefited.
Mr Starkie said: “The positive feedback we’ve received in relation to Union Hall has been overwhelming.
“Residents and visitors are thrilled with the progress that has been made in transforming one of Whitehaven’s most prominent buildings.
“This is exactly what this scheme was brought in to do. Encourage building owners and tenants to approve the appearance of their premises and the wow factor this particular renovation brings is remarkable.
“I’d like to thank Mr Dixon for investing a significant amount of his own funds to improve the appearance of our town.
“With improvements like this it’s clear to see what an enormous success this scheme has been.”
The Pride of Place building grants scheme, which is now closed for applications, encouraged businesses to apply for up to £5,000 for improvements to shopfronts, windows and frames, doorways, external decoration and signage.
Grants were awarded for up to 50 per cent of the cost of the works, which meant that businesses were required to invest in their premises to match-fund the grant.
The scheme is part of the Council’s Pride of Place campaign, which encourages residents and businesses to take pride in their borough and work towards making Copeland a better place to live, work and visit.
Full list of grant recipients:
Whitehaven: Rio's Barber, Humbug Sweet Shop, Guise, Kingdom Hair Studio, Richardson's Wine Shop, Queen Street Dental Clinic, Flower Basket, Bella Vita Beauty, Sporthouse, Kinsella's, Rack Shack, Subway, Whitehaven Launderette, Tutis Foster Care, Oriental Garden, PFK, Mirabilia Hair, Sportzone, Shakers, Whitehaven Fish Bar Ltd, Senhouse Centre, Whitehaven Community Trust, Fotomax, The Vine, Dixons, Savvy, Printpoint, Seven, La Chic, Seville Barbers, Waverley Hotel, Samaritans, Mansion House B&B, Corner Deli, Bakewell House, Castle Knights Bar, Frasers Of Whitehaven, Georgian House Hotel, Hair Supplies, Happy Haven, HFT Gough & Co, Hospice at Home, La Venue, Marchon Club, Pelican Garage, Snecklifter Public House, Station Garage North, Station Garage South, TechWorld, The Harbour Master, The Rum Story, The Strand, Billy McGrady’s, Diamond Nails, Union Hall, Whitehaven Community Trust Hostel, 46/47 King Street, 11 Market Place, 1-2 King Street, 79 King Street.
Millom: Cambridge House Hotel, Stag's Gents Hair Salon, Citizens Advice Bureau, Pet Shop, Deano's Plaice, Millom Workies, Pelleymounters, Curry Spice, The Hair Gallery, Mind Charity Shop, PGM Building Supplies, Beggars Theatre, Bed Shop, Home & Sole, PowerWorld, Mr Wok's Thai Orchid, Chiropodist, Richmond Fellowship, Post Office, Horn Hill Dental Practice, Global Travel, Conservative Club, Wharton's Garage, Wooly Babies, AW Milligan & Sons, Units 1 and 2 Midland Chambers.
Egremont: Star Take-Away, Unique You, Royal British Legion, Spuds & Co, Fraser's Fish & Chips, Heritage Centre, 57 Main Street.
Cleator Moor: Town Council Building, Blush Beauty, Moor Sports, Commercial, Graphskill, 14 High Street, 77 High Street, 22 and 23 High Street.
Other: Black Beck Hotel, Summergrove, Ennerdale Brewery, 54 Main Street – Distington, Miners Arms, Haverigg Post Office, Tracey Telfer Fitness, Woodalls Butchers, Pelleymounters – Seascale.
