FROM global pop stars and world champion cheerleaders to innovative regeneration projects, one Cumbrian seaside town is experiencing something of a revival - with hopes that the area will become a destination for tourists from near and far.
Change has been gathering pace in Maryport in recent years, with a major regeneration project seeing investment in the area and top band Fontaines DC recently filming a music video in the harbour town.
So what's causing such a revival? There is a strong sense of community and a desire from local people to make schemes within the town work - and public funding is being secured.
Maryport is to benefit from a £12million regeneration scheme with funding for projects including a harbourside events area, a promenade café, a skate park and a new play park.
The Town Board, which is made up of businesspeople, town councillors and the harbour authority, meet up with council officers every two weeks.
There are a number of sub-groups for each project, made up of interested parties, who help the officers deliver the projects.
“The injection of money that’s going on in the regeneration of Maryport is extremely positive," said chair of the Maryport Business Group, Sean Parnaby.
"After the disaster that was the swimming pool we have been able to pick up the pieces and put all these schemes in place that are going to benefit not only visitors but the local community.
“I think one of the biggest wins for Maryport is actually getting the community to have more of a say over the schemes and actually be involved in it.
“Over the next probably 12 months, Maryport will change again as these schemes will change again.”
Mr Parnaby says that many new shops such as The Three Frogs, Essence wellness centre, new bakery Born and Bread and other businesses expressing interest in the town are in turn being bolstered by the positive stamp that is being made on Maryport.
The beauty behind the regeneration of the town seems to be collaboration. Mr Parnaby cited the Taste of the Sea festival organised by Cumberland Council earlier this month, which was support by the Maryport Business Group as well as ‘fantastic’ sponsorship from Maryport Town Council.
The event is thought to have welcomed 10,000 people on the Saturday and Sunday, giving Maryport ‘a fantastic buzz about it’.
Mr Parnaby said: “It’s about how we can keep repeating that so that local people and local communities have involvement in it and that’s the sort of stuff that we have done with the communities as we have gone along.
“This is about the communities having an involvement in what’s being done in the town and I think that’s why Maryport will be a success and it will continue growing.”
Looking to the future, the business group chairman sees Maryport as a destination for tourists to come from both Cumbria and beyond, with opportunities provided for both families and those who seek out Maryport as a nightlife destination.
Sean Parnaby said: "I see Maryport as a destination where people can come whether it's raining or shining and bring their kids and have a very enjoyable day here... a destination where there are very unique shops that are selling for the local community and visitors.
"We have got a cafe culture already. We want to create a culture of a night time where there's entertainment on, people want to come down to Maryport and actually be entertained.
"We want Maryport to be known as a destination for events whether they live locally or away."
Cumberland council leader Mark Fryer echoed the words of Mr Parnaby, commending Maryport for the strong sense of community which is driving improvement.
He said: “It’s improving because the community are in it together, that community spirit which is the strength of all of our towns, particularly Maryport, is shining through.
“People are putting behind them all their old problems and issues and looking forward which is absolutely brilliant.
“I was at the Taste of the Sea festival on the Friday and Saturday and it was a really positive weekend.”
Councillor Fryer said businesses like the fishing boat Chelaris are ‘real success story of the town’.
When asked if Maryport had a positive future, the leader said: “I think Cumberland has and that’s the strength of the whole area, which is the people themselves. There is a recognition people have got to work together to achieve things for their towns.”
As well as the many successes of regeneration within Maryport, the town is also becoming a hub for many other cultural achievements with the Cheer Force Knights, based on the Solway Industrial Estate, returning from America as World Champion cheerleaders earlier this year.
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