Concern over ‘lack of community or arts space’ in Morecambe co-op site regeneration ideas
Centenary House, on Morecambe’s Regent Street, was originally built in 1927 and extended in 1961
Concerns about potential new regeneration and housing ideas for a landmark former co-op department store in Morecambe have been raised, including the apparent lack of any plans for community or arts space there in future.
Centenary House, on Morecambe’s Regent Street, was originally built in 1927 and extended in 1961. The three-storey building has been largely vacant since the mid-1990s except for a ground-floor Co-op shop which operates there.
Regeneration options have been discussed at various Lancaster City Council meetings, along with other other projects such as at Lancaster’s Mainway estate. Some repairs and structural work were done at Centenary House last year using government cash support.
Back in 2019, a planning application was approved for offices, a cafe, work spaces and event space at Centenary House. But circumstances have changed.
Earlier this month, the city council’s cabinet had a report from a chief officer to consider progress and next steps for the building. The latest details were discussed in private, without the press or public in attendance, known as an ‘exempt’ discussion. Councils can make some information exempt, typically financial or contractual information. But more details may follow.
Centenary House was raised again at the latest full city council meeting during questions after an update from the council leader, Green Coun Caroline Jackson. Her written report covered various buildings and land including Centenary House, Morecambe’s former Frontierland theme park site and Ryelands House in Lancaster.
Part of her written report stated: “We are tendering for a developer for Centenary House in Morecambe. And the Frontierland Board will be coming back to the cabinet with a recommendation for next steps by the end of this month.”
Labour Coun Claire Cozler said: “Regarding the report, there seems to be no detail. The original plan for Centenary House was for some community space. We desperately need a non-religious, community space in the west end of Morecambe. We need a space for things like arts or small businesses.
“The original plan talked about art studios and maybe a micro-brewery? Now, it seems to be about residential development alone, meaning the west end will lose-out again. This council administration is missing an opportunity to turn the west end into a vibrant community.”
Coun Cozler added: “If Centenary House is just to be flats, there are many issues to consider like parking space, disabled access and the potential impact on residents in emergency situations. Disabled people in the west end need quality accommodation but we don’t know if there are plans for lifts or mobility equipment, for example.
“Also, could the plans be made available to Morecambe ward councillors who are not on the cabinet? West end councillors must be involved. If anything goes wrong, we will get the blame, not the cabinet.”
In reply, Coun Jackson said: “I understand your concern about Centenary House and we don’t want it to continue to be empty. I remember all the hopes we had but they were based on outside funding which we have not been able to get. So changes were needed.
“Details about access, lifts, parking and other issues will be dealt with in the planning process. All councillors can get involved in that along with residents. But we do hope to get some development for that area, which has been blighted for quite a long time.”