DESTINATION MARYPORT

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DESTINATION MARYPORT
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THE PROJECT

• Continued development of tourism and visitor
  attractions and facilities through
• Creation of a new visitor centre
• Improvements to an existing attraction
• Improvements to tourist signage around the town

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Maryport? WE ARE HERE!
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BACKGROUND

• A small coastal west Cumbrian town
• Suffered loss of traditional industries
  throughout latter half of 20th century.
• Heavy reliance on manufacturing industries which
  have declined in recent years.
• Local economy dominated by food (fish) processing
  and small independent industrial enterprises.
• West Cumbria as a whole facing uncertainty as
  future post Nuclear reprocessing is unclear.
• HOWEVER
• Natural assets and location on the fringe of the
  Lake District, along with development of the
  Hadrians Wall World Heritage Site offer
  significant potential for Tourism Development

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Development of the ProjectA BUSY 12 MONTHS

• PROJECT TIMELINE
• Dec 2005 - local partners made aware of potential
  RAP funding
• Feb 2006 - consultants appointed for Feasibility
  and Design study
• June 2006 - consultants report accepted and
  3.0m scheme agreed
• Sept 2006 - ERDF funding application submitted
  and other match funding in place
  
• Oct 2006 construction tenders returned,
  planning consent received
• Nov 2006 ERDF funding granted, construction
  contract awarded.

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HOW WAS THIS ACHIEVED? A MIXTURE OF GOOD LUCK
AND MANAGEMENT
LUCK
MANAGEMENT

• Concept was already on the shelf awaiting funding
  opportunity.
• Suitable site already in Council ownership.
• Site had previously been reclaimed and
  remediated.
• Coincident with other developments Hadrians
  Wall.
• Good fit with other funders priorities.

• Experienced local regeneration agency in place
  to provide the required delivery capacity.

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

• The primary activity is the construction of a new
  3.2m tourist and visitor facility that includes
• Local heritage presentation exhibitions
• A flexible performance/exhibition/conference
  space
• Tourist information point
• Orientation point for other attractions
• Bistro facilities
• Gift shop

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THE SITE - BEFORE
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ALMOST COMPLETE
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WHATS INSIDE?

• Heritage exhibition
• (by Continuum of York)
• 235 seat theatre / conference hall
• Tourist Information Point
• Bistro and Kitchen
• Gift Shop

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THE HERITAGE CENTRE

• Designed by Continuum of York
• The Jorvik Centre
• Spinnaker
• Canterbury Tales
• AND NOW
• THE WAVE CENTRE MARYPORT

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THE HERITAGE CENTRE

• Maryports heritage is significant and in some
  instances unique.
• Its history can be traced back to the Roman
  period of which much physical evidence remains.
• In more recent times Maryport can boast a proud
  industrial and maritime heritage and can show
  direct links to the White Star Line and The
  Titanic.

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• Welcome and Introduce
• A Grid Town
• Maryportal
• Ship mates
• Harbouring History
• Self Contained Theatre Space The Pod
• Quality Venue for local events and festivals

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
• The first area of the visitors journey will
  welcome visitors and take them through key points
  in history.

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• A GRID TOWN
• This area describes the evolution of the town
  today ranging from
• Establishment of the Roman Fort Alauna AD122
• Maryport around the turn of the century, as a
  leading industrial centre
• Modern day Maryport

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• MARYPORTAL
• This area of the exhibition will provide a
  scenic depiction of the development of Maryport
  past and present
• The arrival of the Romans
• The Vikings on the Solway
• 12th Century Motte and Bailey Castle
• Development of industry
• The extension of the town
• Building of the railway line (George Stephenson)
• much much more

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• SHIP MATES
• This area will allow visitors to meet and
  learn about some of Maryports Residents
• Thomas Henry Ismay (founder of the White Star
  Line
• Duggy Clarke World class rugby player and
  wrestler
• Charles Dickens, Wilkie Collins (both holidayed
  in Maryport
• Lowry (painted many Maryport scenes)
• Famous sea captains
• Not forgetting our modern day residents

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• HARBOURING HISTORY
• Focus on the maritime story of Maryport
• Shipbuilding
• Smuggling
• Development of the Harbour

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THE EXHIBITION AREA

• DESIGN CONCEPT
• DISPLAY MODULES
• Visually and audibly
• self-contained
• External design reflects
• Maryports history
• Interactive
• Educational

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THE POD (working title)

• A much needed venue for live music, theatre and
  festivals such as the now nationally renowned
  Maryport Blues Festival

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TIMESCALES

• Modules are being manufactured off site
• Delivered 1st week in March
• Installed 2nd week in March
• THE WAVE EXHIBITION CENTRE
• OPEN FOR BUSINESS JUNE

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FORWARD STRATEGY

• Management of the new centre was put out for
  expressions of interest from external
  organisations.
• It is likely that an established local leisure
  trust will take on this role under licence.

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OUTCOMES

• Increased tourism offer and improved facilities.
• New jobs.
• Increased visitor numbers and visitor spend.
• Appropriate use of derelict land

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ANY QUESTIONS?