A MAJOR funding boost has been announced for a former Maryport school - with almost £1million being granted to refurbish and modernise the building.

The Government has announced a huge boost for Maryport with the grant to refurbish and modernise 2nd Maryport Scout Group headquarters, known as Scott House, in George Street.

The former Victorian school is to be gutted and brought up to date with modern facilities which will help develop youth provision in the town.

Mike Robertson, group lead volunteer at the 2nd Maryport Scouts said: “This has been brilliant news for us and the culmination of months of hard work and investment in putting our bid together. 

"Our whole group of young people and volunteer leaders are absolutely over the moon with this success.

"We have involved everyone in the process and we have much to celebrate. It will not only provide us with a new headquarters but a large slice of the grant is also earmarked to employ two development officers to expand and encourage the use of the building for other youth groups and new youth organisations ” 

The original school building walls and footprint would be retained but the whole of its interior would be totally restructured and refurbished with a new roof, a modern kitchen, more floor space for activities and space for meetings and leaders.

Times and Star: Architects impression of the front elevation of the proposed extension and refurbishment.Architects impression of the front elevation of the proposed extension and refurbishment. (Image: Supplied)

All the old outbuildings will be demolished and a new extension and entrance, in keeping with the conservation area, would be built, along with secure storage for equipment toilets, shower and drying facilities. It would be inclusive and accessible to all, the group added.

The group has 90 young people aged from 4 to 18, using the premises each week, supported by a team of 15 trained adult leaders and a group of older scouts working as young leaders.

In the meantime, the group has found temporary premises and storage for its equipment for the duration of the build, which expected to be completed before the end on 2024.

Kathryn Jenkins, one of the group’s young leaders and an explorer scout, said: "We really needed more space and a more modernised place to meet that can suit us all since there's such a range of ages.

"But the most amazing thing is that everyone has been involved in adapting the plans from the start and especially now with the Youth Forum it really feels like the impact is made by us, for us.

"We're so excited to get to use the new space.”

The grant, which totals £948,513, also includes for the provision of paid development workers whose aim will be expand the youth provision in the town and set up a sustainable plan for the building’s future use.

Mark Jenkinson MP said: “I am absolutely thrilled that the 2nd Maryport Scout Group is among the local organisations that will benefit from the Conservative Government’s Youth Investment Fund.

"The motto of the Scouts is ‘Be Prepared’, and I know that lot of hard work and preparation has gone into this bid. I commend everyone involved. This is great news for the Scouts, for the town, and for the constituency.

“Raising aspiration, helping our young people realise their potential, and supporting grassroots community organisations like are really close to my heart – and it was a privilege and an honour to support this successful bid.”

The money is coming from The Department for Culture, Media and Sport via Youth Investment Fund, and is part of the Government’s investment of over £300 million to transform and level up the out-of-school youth sector across England in priority areas.