Latest news with #BorderlandsPlaceProgramme
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Medieval UK town with ‘magical' castle used for Hogwarts in Harry Potter films set for multi-million pound investment
The medieval town that is featured in countless blockbuster films POTTER GOLD Medieval UK town with 'magical' castle used for Hogwarts in Harry Potter films set for multi-million pound investment A MAGICAL UK town, complete with a medieval castle featured in the Harry Potter films, is set for a multi-million pound investment. Once home to the beloved fictional wizard, the mystical site is about to undergo an exciting revamp. 9 The castle set the stage for Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films Credit: Alamy 9 The town is set to undergo a huge multi-million pound revamp Credit: crestphotography/ 9 Tourists flock to this castle to immerse themselves in the wizarding world Credit: Getty Harry Potter fans flock to famed castle Alnwick town, Northumberland, has long been steeped in history, but it was the medieval castle featured in the Harry Potter franchise, which put it on the map. The castle grounds set the stage for Hogwarts in the first two films, and was notably the location where Harry had his first quidditch lesson. Today, Alnwick welcomes tourists from far and wide who are keen to immerse themselves in the wizarding world. Beyond exploring the site featured in The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, visitors can also follow in Radcliffe's footsteps and take a broomstick lesson of their own. Harry Potter fans have even dubbed the day out one of the UK's most immersive experiences outsides of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Council reveals regeneration plans Now, Northumberland County Council plan to make improvements to the town in an exciting new regeneration plan. Last month, it was revealed that over £270,000 in funding had been approved to kick start a multi-million pound project. As part of the Borderlands Place Programme, plans have been revealed to build a new museum in Northumberland Hall. The council also revealed that this work could commence in a matter of months, subject to approval of other funding bids. The museum promises to boost tourism even further in an area that is already a popular hot spot. New Epic Universe theme park reveals fifth new land based on Harry Potter Beyond the town's ties to J K Rowling's famed wizarding world, Alnwick is also brimming with medieval history, reports The Northern Echo. Built more than 900 years ago, the castle remains the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Northumberland, with one of England's most powerful noble houses, The Percy Family, still calling it home. In addition to this, the town boasts many impressive landmarks like Bondgate Tower, Hotspur Gate, and St Michael's Church. Visitors can also explore one of Britain's largest second-hand bookshops, Barter Books, which is also famed for rediscovering the iconic "Keep calm and Carry On" WWII poster. Alnwick Garden is also home to Europe's largest treehouse restaurant. As well as welcoming a brand new museum, the plans also hope to develop a transport hub. With a further £90,000 approved for this, work could be well underway by early 2026. Both these projects, part of a bid totalling around £7.7million, have been well received by the community. At a community event held earlier this year, 84% of respondents backed the proposals. It comes on the back of the new 'Town Investment Plan' which was approved by the Borderlands Partnership following development locally by the Place Partnership Group. The Borderlands Place Programme includes up to £3m of Growth Deal and County Council combined investment Alnwick, and six other neighbouring towns. Once funding awards are in place, there will be detailed consultation with businesses and residents that may be affected by any construction works prior to them starting. 9 Alnwick is also steeped in history Credit: Getty 9 Regeneration plans include the construction of a brand new museum Credit: Getty 9 The council hopes to improve Alnwick's transport hub Credit: Getty Councillors express excitements for proposed plans Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Chair of Alnwick Place Partnership Group said: 'This is a fantastic step forward for the town, giving our backing to kick start significant investment in the town centre. 'Alnwick already has great assets including major tourism attractions and businesses and our aim is to bolster this by introducing new attractions to the town centre and making it easier and more attractive to visit the town on public transport. 'This is just the start for the Borderlands Place Programme with a range of new schemes in development across all seven towns in the programme we are expecting further projects for approval in Bedlington, Prudhoe and other towns later this year." While Alnwich County Councillor Martin Swinbank added: 'We have been pushing for improvements to the bus station for many years and I'm pleased to see this next step in securing new investment. 'The bus station is an important community facility and also the first view of Alnwick many visitors see as they step into the town." Fellow Alnwick County Councillor Gordon Castle said: 'Our tourism offer is an important component of the local economy and working together to bring the Northumberland Hall back into use, at the same time as bringing the Bailiffgate Museum into the heart Alnwick is a great solution." Jean Humphrys, Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery Chair of Trustees, added: 'This support is an important milestone for our innovative proposals to create a new cultural and creative hub in the town. 'We're working over the summer to secure backing for our exciting plans for this building to bring much needed investment into the town and a long-term home for the amazing story of Alnwick.' Earlier this month, Alnwick honoured its magical past with a screening of the franchise in the castle grounds. ChronicleLive reported that fans would be able to attend a special viewing where they could watch the action play out near the location where it actually took place. The castle grounds has also been the backdrop to countless other beloved films. Among the popular titles in which it has been featured, is the 2019 film of Downton Abbey, Transformers: The Last Night, and even the upcoming Mark Wahlberg and Sir Anthony Hopkins film. 9 The council hopes these plans will boost tourism even further Credit: Getty 9 The castle remains home to the noble Percy Family Credit: Getty
ITV News
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Historic Roxy building in Ulverston receives £500,000 cash boost
The historic Roxy building, which is home to the Laurel and Hardy museum in Ulverston, has been given a £500,000 funding boost by the Borderlands deal. The grant has been awarded to the Roxy Collective, a community group that purchased the building in 2023. The Roxy building opened in 1937 as a cinema and now also hosts U-Gym and Redrock Productions. It is also a hub for community groups, charities and schools in the local area. The Borderlands-funded work will include: Bringing the building up to modern building control standards, to create more footfall for the cinema and the museum; Delivering 140 square metres of community space by refurbishing redundant rooms within the building; Opening up the foyer to create a visitor information point, facing the Roxy plaza and Coronation Hall; and Supporting environmental improvements through the installation of a rainwater capture system, solar panels and associated battery storage. Since taking over the building, Roxy Collective has already carried out extensive structural repairs and renovations to the roof, ensuring it was watertight and giving the exterior walls a fresh colour scheme and new branding. Solar panels have also been installed along with a new battery room as the first steps forward in making the building sustainable. Suzy Garnett, the chair of The Roxy Collective, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to the Borderlands Committee and the Ulverston Town Team for their support, which allows us to continue the much-needed development work on our beloved Roxy. "The Roxy has been a cornerstone of our community for generations, and this investment ensures that it remains a vibrant space for arts, culture, and connection for years to come. "As always, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the community for its unwavering support: your passion and dedication are what keep the Roxy alive.' The Roxy Collective will be holding an open evening in the near future for members of the public to find out more about the plans. The Borderlands Partnership Board is supporting five Cumbrian towns – Dalton-in-Furness, Egremont, Penrith, Ulverston and Wigton – as part of the Borderlands Place Programme, a major programme to support the development and renewal of towns across the Borderlands region. The £452 million Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a regional investment programme jointly supported by the UK and Scottish governments and local partners. Councillor Virginia Taylor, Westmorland and Furness Council cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, said: "This grant funding is great news for the Roxy Collective, Ulverston as a whole and the wider area. "Great credit should go to the Roxy Collective – their tenacity and vision are securing a future for a fabulous building, a working cinema, a museum and more, all supporting the economic and cultural vibrancy of Ulverston. "And thanks as well to the members of Ulverston Town Team for supporting this Borderlands bid. "Westmorland and Furness Council hasn't forgotten Ulverston's ambitious vision for a Cultural Quarter around the Roxy and the neighbouring Coro. "Plans for the Coro are taking shape and I am committed to work with partners on this. There is a national backdrop of cuts in funding for cultural services and financial pressures on councils but the council has committed funding for the Coro – so I hope that the Coro can look forward to working together with the Roxy jointly to promote the arts, culture as well as community togetherness."
