First project under £22.5m Cleator Moor Town Deal completed

The first project funded by the £22.5 million Cleator Moor Town Deal has been completed with the refurbishment of the PEC Phase 3 building. This milestone falls under the ‘Revitalised Town’ programme aimed at rejuvenating Cleator Moor.

The building, located on the Square, has undergone significant upgrades following works by Thomas Armstrong Construction on behalf of Cumberland Council. The renovations included improved accessibility with a new internal layout as well as extensive updates such as a new roof with solar panels, double-glazed timber windows, a new lift, fire-stopping measures, and repointed exterior walls.

The PEC Phase 3 building, owned by Cumberland Council, is leased by Phoenix Enterprise Centre (PEC), which sub-lets the space as offices. Interest in the refurbished office space has been strong, with the first new tenants set to move in from 1st January 2026. The first and second floors already have full occupancy, with businesses encouraged to contact PEC for future availability.

Joanne Crowe, Executive Director at PEC, said: "Demand for quality office accommodation has been consistently high for some time. Even before the refurbishment of PEC 3 was completed sixty-five percent of the space within the building had been let, with more viewings booked in for the coming weeks. Local Businesses will start moving in during January 2026. This will help boost the local economy."

The ongoing community hub project

Another key project under the Cleator Moor Town Deal is the development of a new community hub in the Town Square. The hub will involve the reconfiguration and linking of two existing buildings—the library and former Credit Union building—alongside the creation of a café with a commercial kitchen.

Plans submitted to the council propose facilitating youth services, exhibition and arts space, improved internet access at the library, and upgraded landscaping across the Town Square. Public realm improvements will include relocating sculptures, restoring the Memorial Fountain, and enhancing accessibility.

Subject to planning approval, construction of the hub is set to begin in early 2026 and aims to be completed by summer 2027.

Cleator Moor Town Deal progress

Cleator Moor Town Deal, funded through the Government’s Towns Fund, features four main projects, with the refurbished PEC Phase 3 building representing completion of the first. Bob Metcalfe, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, expressed enthusiasm about the progress, saying:

"We are delighted to see that the renovation of the PEC3 building has been completed. The investment will bring back into use a commercial property on the Square and provide space for latent demand in the town for quality office space. This is welcome news and will support wider regeneration projects across the Town under the Town Deal banner."

Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, added: "It is great to see progress being made. Work continues on other parts of the Town Deal projects and momentum continues to build across this transformational programme."