After some inevitable delays due to Covid-19, the redevelopment of the derelict former bus station in Whitehaven is motoring on.
A short video tour hosted by our head of community and development, Gary McKeating, shows that the new home for digital and creative start-ups is taking shape.
Gary said:
I am incredibly impressed by how much progress Thomas Armstrong has made since work was able to restart.
You can see the business pods and communal working areas on the second floor coming together. And the blend of original features, like the former station's art deco windows, with the more contemporary features like exposed ducts, is going to give the building a contemporary feel.
While entrepreneurs will be busy planning their business growth upstairs, a new food and beverage offer called The Pedlar will be open to the public downstairs.
Speaking to Gary in this week's social impact multiplied (SiX) podcast, Craig Lowery from Osprey who will run The Pedlar, said:
Whether you're getting off a train in Whitehaven and want to grab a coffee to go, shopping in town and want somewhere to go for lunch, or are looking for somewhere for an evening meal, The Pedlar will cater for all".
The Bus Station development is being delivered by BEC with funding from Sellafield Ltd and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.
Michael Pemberton, chief executive of BEC, also joined Gary on the podcast and said:
This is going to be a really exciting space and unique facility for the area. When open we'll have enough space for something like 9 individual offices, 5 meeting spaces, and 37 co-working areas. And then there will be 'maker spaces' where you can prototype products.
The full SiX podcast is available via Apple, Spotify and Google.
