A firm, previously contracted to restore a church in West Cumbria, has entered voluntary liquidation. 

Aura Heritage Ltd was hired to restore the Grade II-listed Christ Church in Maryport ahead of its reopening as a new maritime museum.

Cumberland Council ended the contract with Aura Heritage in June for reasons that were undisclosed at the time. 

Subsequently, Alvarez and Marsal were appointed by the company to liquidate the business in July, as indicated by Companies House records.

According to the firm's statement of affairs on July 31, the firm had £1.6m in liabilities, of which £201,512 is owed to employees. 

On July 31, a spokesperson for Cumberland Council announced on social media about the resumption of work at the Christ Church site.

In July, a spokesperson for Cumberland Council said on social media: "You’ll be seeing some activity on site this week at Christ Church in Maryport, the location for the new Maritime Museum.

"We’re preparing the building ahead of renovation works restarting as a new contractor is being formally appointed very soon," they said. 

Originally constructed in 1872, the building remained unoccupied for some years before Allerdale Council purchased it in 2020.

Planning permission to transform the church into a museum was granted in 2022.

Aura Heritage Ltd and Alvarez and Marsal were both approached for comment.