Work on Penrith Town hall will not progress until early 2026 when Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet will be asked to approve the councils preferred option for the building set out in the councils outline business case for the refurbishment of Penrith Town Hall.
The councils cabinet will decide on the preferred option as set out in the councils outline business case for the refurbishment of Penrith Town Hall into a Creative and Community Hub. The cabinet members will also be asked to agree the level and source of match funding for the project if the Creative and Community Hub plans costs are not within current available budget.
The council has so far secured £3 million in government funding for the scheme and a further £500,000 ring fenced from the Borderlands Place Programme has so far been secured for the project.
The cabinet will also be asked to delegate the award of the construction contract to the councils Director of Thriving Communities.
Council officials say the Town Hall project will transform the site into a “vibrant” and “sustainable” destination that both preserves its heritage and opens it up for community use.
Westmorland and Furness Council carried out a community conversation about the future of the town hall in early October and also launched a £180,000 tender procurement process in October to secure a delivery provider for the town hall transformation into a new Creative and Community Hub.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, Westmorland and Furness Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said:
“Penrith Town Hall has stood at the heart of the town for generations as a place where decisions were made, events were celebrated, and civic pride has always been visible.
“We now have an exciting opportunity to secure major investment that will protect its heritage while creating a dynamic hub for the whole community. We are committed to developing this with, and for, the people of Penrith, ensuring the Town Hall continues to inspire, connect and support future generations.”
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