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Welcome to our Newsletter which offers a summary of the latest Town Deal events and reports progress on the projects. A positive highlight of this newsletter is the new spotlight section on our local companies which are engaged with the Town Deal projects and what they feel about their involvement with our main contractors. I am sure we will see more updates on how our local economy will benefit from Town Deal Investment.
Some key points to note in this latest edition:
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The Old Bank: This project with its prominent position in the Market Square, make its progress highly visible. Each project has a unique delivery schedule, which various issues can impact during the transition from design to delivery. Due to the complexity of each project, the timescales for completion will also vary.
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Iron Line Project: This project faces significant challenges due to its relationship with multiple stakeholders and compliance standards. Balancing development and environmental protection are crucial and requires time to find the right path forward. The newsletter provides an update on the Iron Line project and highlights the unique challenges and solutions to bring this project back on track.
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Cost Escalation: The awarded funds by the Government to support the Millom Town Deal in November 2022 were based on no further allowance for the issues we have faced with the cost-of-living crisis, which has significantly impacted the construction industry, alongside the personal effects we have all experienced during this challenging time. This has necessitated a reality check to keep the projects within tight cost and delivery schedule controls. Despite these challenges, the determination to deliver these projects for the Millom and Haverigg Community remains strong, in collaboration with our delivery partner, Cumberland Council.
Please keep in the loop by subscribing to our Facebook Page.
David Savage, Millom Town Deal Board Chair
Community input is really important for all the regeneration work taking place in Cumberland which is why the partnership with the Millom Town Deal Board continues to be a crucial part of the process.
The group is made up of residents, business people, public organisations and council representatives. You can see who is on the Town Deal Board - Meet The Board - on our Town Deal Website: https://millomtowndeal.org.uk/the-board/
The Millom Town Deal has secured £20.6 million government funding with an additional £8.7 million in match funding, aiming to foster economic growth, health, and community well-being across the area.
This funding is supporting four transformative projects: the Iron Line, Activating Community Health, Reactivating Heritage Buildings, and Connecting Millom and Haverigg.
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The Millom Town Deal Board is made up of people who represent a cross section of society. Each monthly newsletter we will shine a spotlight on a particular member and give them the opportunity to tell you all a bit about themselves.
Marion Giles
Community Representative
I was born and raised in Millom, and I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve worked in the Nuclear industry for 25 years before retiring in 2019. Over the years, I’ve been lucky to be involved in many parts of our local community, starting out when I was a young mum helping to set up Millom’s first Summer Play-scheme.
From there, I got involved in Millom’s first Mini Rugby League Club and joined the committee for the 1st Millom Cub Scouts. My community involvement grew when Millom Recreation Centre was being built, I trained as a fitness and gym instructor, and eventually became a Director and Trustee of the Centre.
In 2014, I received Cumbria’s High Sheriff Award, and later, Copeland’s Sporting Long Service Award and a place in Copeland’s Sporting Hall of Fame. In 2015 I was named in the Queen’s Birthday’s Honours List and was presented with a British Empire Medal (BEM) by the Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria for my voluntary work within the Community, particularly with Millom Recreation Centre. In 2016 I was also invited to the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
My main focus has always been health and wellbeing in our community, especially encouraging our young people to get involved in sport and local activities. I was invited to join Millom Town Deal by Copeland Council with the prospect of a new Leisure Centre/Swimming Pool for the Community. I’m also involved in the Patients Participation Group (PPG) at Waterloo House and am part of Millom’s Integrated Community Care (ICC).
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This month, we’re highlighting the work of Total Access Scaffolding, a Millom-based scaffolding company currently supporting Story Contracting Ltd on The Old Bank project, part of the Reactivating Heritage Buildings projects.
Led by Director James Speirs, Total Access Scaffolding has grown steadily over the past five years. Based in Millom, the company employs a close-knit team of six, most of whom are also local residents.
James shared his thoughts on being involved in this project:
“My name is James Speirs and I’m the Director at Total Access Scaffolding. My company has grown from strength to strength over the last 5 years. Our projects vary from size but we are continuously expanding onto larger projects and really excited to help support the growth of our local community. We are subcontracted by Story Contracting Ltd on The Old Bank project as part of the Reactivating Heritage Buildings project.
Our headquarters are in Millom, and most of our 6 employees live in the Millom and the majority of our projects are based in South Lakes.
We are pleased to be working with Story Contracting Ltd in our local town. Across everyone involved — both Story Contracting Ltd and all the site teams — there is a strong group ethos and real pride in what we do. I feel my company is making a positive impact on this project, and it’s fantastic to be working in such a fabulous town, where all our operatives are from.”
With their headquarters in Millom, the team are proud to be helping breathe new life into a building that holds historical and cultural importance for the community.
 The Iron Line project in Millom and Haverigg has reached another key milestone with the submission of a new planning application.
This updated application replaces the previous submission made in 2023 and has been shaped by feedback from the local community, key stakeholders, and statutory consultees.
The revised plans improve protection to environmentally sensitive areas to the site and remain true to the original vision of creating an inspiring, accessible coastal route around the Hodbarrow Nature Reserve.
The Iron Line is a flagship project for the Millom Town Deal programme, which is investing more than £29 million Government and partners’ funding into the local area. The Iron Line will transform the sea wall and surrounding landscape into a space that promotes walking, cycling, nature, and heritage.
The new visitor centre will feature a café, group learning and event space, accessible toilets, and volunteer facilities - serving as a welcoming hub for locals and visitors.
A community café:
- A multi-use space for events, exhibitions, and learning
- Toilets and changing facilities, including Changing Places provision
- Space for volunteers, groups, and nature-based education
Other features include:
- Improved and new walking and cycling paths
- A single car park with improved access around visitors centre
- New art installations inspired by Millom’s culture and landscape
- Development of the Townsley Windmill as a heritage focal point
- Additional trees are planted to enhance the environment
- Sensitive wildlife-viewing areas designed
Cumberland Council continues to work closely with statutory consultees and local stakeholders to ensure the Iron Line supports biodiversity, enhances public access to nature, and strengthens the local economy.
Further updates, including operator procurement for the new visitors centre and café, will be shared over the coming months.
 On Thursday 29 May, the Millom Town Deal team met with the Millom Community Action group to talk about the exciting future plans for our town.
The catch-up event was well attended and gave us the opportunity to share the Millom Town Deal story and provide updates on the projects, plus answer questions.
The Board looks forward to returning to share further updates.
Work is moving ahead on the restoration of the historic Old Bank building in Market Square, Millom - part of our £29.3 million Millom Town Deal.
Led by Story Contracting, the project is bringing this iconic former NatWest building back to life. So far, some structural repairs, damp proofing, timber treatment, and major internal works have been completed across all three floors. External scaffolding is now up and safety and work on the gable wall and chimney is well underway.
Once finished, the building will become a modern hub for business, creativity, and community - featuring a café, co-working and office spaces, and workshops designed to support local people and start-ups.
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On Tuesday 13 May, the Millom Town Deal team visited Millom Infant School to talk with pupils about the exciting future plans for our town.
Millom Town Deal Ambassadors are local schoolchildren who have been invited to take on an active role in supporting and promoting the vision of the Town Deal.
We’ve welcomed nearly 200 students from local schools into our Millom Town Deal Ambassador Programme - a fantastic initiative giving young people the chance to learn about regeneration, share ideas, and play a part in shaping the future of Millom.
A huge thank you to all the Head Teachers and school staff who’ve supported this work so far. The Board looks forward to returning to local schools later this year to share further updates and continue working closely with Millom’s future residents.
 Thank you to everyone who came to speak with the Millom Town Deal Board at the Thwaites Gala over the weekend.
We really appreciated the chance to chat and hear your thoughts. There were lots of positive conversations about the Town Deal, and it was great to see so much local interest and support.
Thanks again for taking the time — your input helps shape the future of Millom.
The new 3G pitch at Millom School is now live and ready to book!
If you’re a local club, group, or just fancy a game with friends – you can now check availability and request a slot online.
Here’s how to book:
 Visit the website
Check the pitch calendar for available slots
Follow the instructions to request your booking and complete the booking form
Get on the pitch and make the most of this fantastic new facility!
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