'Forgotten town is looking to a new future'
Millom Town Deal BoardA "forgotten town" that has suffered decades of decline following the loss of heavy industries is taking the first steps towards a brighter future, regeneration chiefs say.
Ironworks and mining operations in Millom, in south Cumbria, were brought to a close in the late 1960s, and in recent years shops, banks and pubs have closed.
Having been awarded £29.3m in government funding, the focal point of turnaround efforts - improved facilities at the Hodbarrow nature reserve - has moved a step forward with the submission of a revised planning application.
David Savage, chairman of the Millom Town Deal Board, believes the scheme can help the area "find a confident new voice".
Called the Iron Line and developed in partnership with Cumberland Council, it will see new walking and cycling routes around the reserve - formerly an iron mine - along with the construction of a visitor centre.
The funding is also being used to turn an ex-bank in the town into an arts and enterprise venue, as well as build a leisure centre to complement an existing recreation facility.
Work to improve connections with the nearby village of Haverigg is also planned.
Cumberland Council"Millom's become somewhat of a forgotten town," Mr Savage said. "Historically it was an ironmaking area, but today it's effectively looking for a new future.
"Like a lot of places, we've seen a significant change in people's shopping habits [with them moving online] so we have a large number of derelict buildings, particularly in the Wellington Street area where the Co-op used to be.
"I'm Millom born and bred, and you look at it now and it's completely different to the 1970s. It has a strong sense of decline, so there's a big challenge but also a lot of opportunity."
Having been empty for several years, work to transform the former NatWest building in Market Square got under way a few months ago with Mr Savage believing the refurbishment of the prominent site will make "a statement".
Meanwhile, the Iron Line, he hopes, will attract thousands of visitors each year as it draws on the town's coastal location.
"We are close to the Lake District, but we have a different offer," he explains. "The visitor centre should be operating by next autumn to tell the story of Millom with the rest of the scheme concluded by spring 2027.
"In all, the four regeneration projects are split between economic renewal and health and wellbeing."
Millom Town Deal BoardMichael Barry, Cumberland Council's assistant director of thriving places, says community engagement has been key to identifying regeneration priorities.
"What's vital is that we are working with local people to understand what they feel is important.
"They live and breathe the town. Ultimately, they will live with these projects and we want to make sure we are meeting their aspirations.
"Real opportunities also come from being near two of Britain's largest industrial sites - the Sellafield nuclear plant and BAE Systems' submarine-building operation at Barrow."
Although the first steps towards a turnaround are seemingly being taken, Mr Savage warns bigger ones will ultimately be needed.
"I regard the Town Deal funding as a down-payment. It creates an environment for change and now we need other investors to come into the town along with more help from the government.
"We want to give the town a new confidence and a new future. I'm confident we've found a path forward."