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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Historic seaside town boasts of increase in tourism after £12million revamp – including seafront activity centre
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SMALL seaside town has reported a significant boost in tourism after investing £12 million into revamp work. The regeneration project, most of which was completed at the beginning of the year, saw upgrades to the town centre and seafront. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Maryport Harbour in Cumbria has undergone a major regeneration project, boosting tourism in the area Credit: Getty Maryport, which has a population of around 10,865, traces back to medieval times with the Georgian era introducing the town's lighthouse while the Victorian period brought the local railway. By 1845 , the Cumbria port town had established itself as a bustling hub for trade, shipping 300,000 tons of coal along with other imports and exports including iron ore, timber, cattle, and cotton. A century on, the aftermath of the 1926 General Strike and the new deep-water dock in Workington saw the area become a ghost town. Despite a brief reprieve during World War II, the town never fully recovered, with the docks closing to cargo ships in the 1960s. In the decades since, the scenic area focused more on its tourism industry. A series of regeneration works have been carried out in Maryport, with some still in progress. Maryport Town Hall underwent a £200,000 renovation and now serves as a community hub as well as housing the local council. Automatic sensors on the building have recorded more than a third increase in footfall since the upgrade began. Overall, tourism in the town has increased by 35% since spring 2024. The town hall is located on Senhouse Street, the main route connecting the town centre with the Harbourside and Promenade, all of which have undergone various revamps. The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park A Shopfront Scheme has transformed the look of many properties, attracting new businesses such as retailers, wellness providers, a photography studio, and a banking hub. Meanwhile on the Harbourside, the new Shiver Me Timbers splashpark and play area has been erected. Upgrades have also been made to the Maryport Activity Centre, with new attractions added, including a play area, climbing attractions, a gym, studio spaces, and a café. The new Shipping Brow Gallery and a new skatepark on the Promenade have also boosted footfall in the town. And Maryport's regeneration continues as the Christ Church to Maritime Museum conversion still underway. 'Downtrodden' English ghost town where locals feel 'left behind' being turned into 'vibrant' shopping hub in £9m revamp By Nicole Cherruault A "DOWNTRODDEN" English ghost town is being turned into a "vibrant" shopping hub in a £9million revamp. The town in northern Manchester set to totally transform as the council launches a multi-million pound "vision for change" after locals complained the town felt "left behind". More than 600 people were consulted over renovation plans in Eccles, Salford and work has now started on demolishing the town's shopping centre, which was suffering from falling visitors numbers. Following the demolition stage, a development partner will be appointed to bring new life to what residents described as a "downtrodden" town, reports Manchester Evening News. The objective, the council said, is to create a "vibrant" and a "fit for purpose" centre for people to enjoy. Attracting more independent retailers, and new bars and cafes are among the council's top priorities. And just three miles from Salford Quays and Manchester city centre, the redevelopment project looks set to transform the area into a buzzing place for young professionals and business owners. This comes as locals despaired over the ailing town, saying they felt it had been "left behind" and it was in desperate need of some "drastic" improvements. The council stressed that the demolition work will be a long process, with the initial phase due only to be completed by the end of the year. However, Councillor Mike McCusker reassured locals that despite the renovations, the town centre "remains open for business", stressing that the works only affect a few areas. He said: 'Whilst we work on the town centre of the future, today's town centre remains open for business,' said Coun Mike McCusker, lead member for planning, transport and sustainable development at Salford council. 'I want to stress that this demolition work only affects certain parts of the town centre. 'The shops and businesses on Church Street are still open for business and unaffected by this work.' Meanwhile, Councillor McCusker, who represents the Eccles ward, shared his enthusiasm for the project, in particular for its focus on the local community. In a statement, he spoke of his "excitement" for the times ahead in materialising their vision for a brighter, more dynamic Eccles. He said 'Through our purchase of the shopping centre, we were able to put the future of the town centre in the hands of the council and the community. 'It has enabled us to begin this important and long-overdue programme of work, to deliver the vision we have developed with the community. 'The demolition work will take some time, but there are exciting times ahead for Eccles as we work to bring this vision to life.' The work will see the historic Christ Church transformed into a new Maritime Museum, with an expected opening later this year. And a former cinema is also being converted into a cultural hub, with an opening date expected early next year. Leader of Cumberland Council, Councillor Mark Fryer spoke about the boost the work has given the town. "When Maryport Maritime Museum opens in Christ Church, the former Carlton Cinema becomes a cultural hub, and the new café opens on the Promenade there will be even more reasons to visit," he said. "I am very pleased to see that footfall is already on the up - even before the summer tourist season. 3 Maryport Harbour was previously a bustling hub before the area became a 'ghost town' in the 20th century Credit: Getty "This is great for the local economy which is the whole point of this work.' Other attractions in the town include the Lake Distict Coast Aquarium at Maryport Harbour, which reportedly boasts more than 2,000 specimens in over 75 display tanks. Family tickets are available from just £26. And while the town has a mixed shingle and sand beach that disappears during high tide, its bay is still recognised as a good spot for windsurfing and kite-surfing. Visitors can also enjoy the stunning views of the Solway estuary at all times of the year.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What was said in the Labour WhatsApp group? Diane Abbott calls for MPs to quit
Labour has launched an investigation after two Labour MPs were found to have made 'unacceptable and deeply disappointing' comments in a WhatsApp group. The party is under pressure to act following Sir Keir Starmer suspending both Andrew Gwynne and Oliver Ryan from Labour and removing the former from his role as a health minister because of controversial texts they sent. Mr Ryan was reported by the Mail to have sent the messages in the same Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp chat where Mr Gwynne sent the offending messages. Both men have apologised over the texts but remain MPs at the time of the writing, albeit with Mr Gwynne now sitting as an independent. Now, Diane Abbott has called for everyone involved in the group chat to stand down from their positions in the Labour party after seeing the texts contained racist remarks about her. Speaking to Sky News, she said: 'They were offensive remarks, and in 2025, people should know better than to go in for that kind of racist and sexist verbiage.' Here, she's referring to the 12 other people thought to be in the WhatsApp group, who have not yet been named publicly. This is what we know about what was said in the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp chat. After the prime minister initially sacked Andrew Gwynne over his WhatsApp messages, Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has also been removed from his position. Mr Ryan, who became an MP last July, reportedly made the comments alongside other members in the group Trigger Me Timbers – which Mr Gwynne set up. So far, only Mr Ryan and Mr Gwynne have been named but all those involved are said to be party members in the Manchester area. Mr Ryan used to work for Mr Gwynne and their discussions were said to implicate local members. A dozen or so people were said to be in the chat and it has been claimed at least one other was another Labour MP. Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has not said if others in the chat will be suspended, after discussing the incident with the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme on Sky News. Andrew Gwynne, the MP for Gorton and Denton, is said to have made sexist comments about Angela Rayner, racist remarks about Labour MP Diane Abbott, and 'joked' that he hoped a 72-year-old woman 'croaked it' after she complained about her bins. He apparently said: 'Dear resident, F*** your bins. I'm re-elected and without your vote. Screw you. PS: Hopefully you'll have croaked it by the all-outs.' According to the Mail, he also made antisemitic slights and joked about a constituent being 'mown down' by a truck when the resident asked for more cycle lanes.. Mr Gwynne's message to the group reportedly said: 'I had positive visions of him getting mown down by an Elsa Waste HGV while he's cycling to the Fallowfield Loop [cycle lane]. We couldn't be that lucky!' Of Diane Abbot, who became the first black Parliamentarian to represent their party during PMQs, one member of the WhatsApp group is said to have asked: 'Who's ready for Diane at PMQs?' Mr Gwynne responded: 'Yep because it's Black History Month apparently.' Another response reportedly read: 'Was David Lammy not available? I'd also take the corpse of [black Labour MP who died in 2000] Bernie Grant.' Mr Gwynne retorted: 'Or Desmond Swayne? Justin Trudeau?' - both of which caused controversy for blackening their faces for fancy dress. The MP for Gorton and Denton also allegedly said someone sounded 'too Jewish' and referred to local Labour leader Colin Bailey as 'Colin C*mface'. In 2021, Angela Rayner faced criticism for claiming £249 Apple wireless headphones on expenses, for which Mr Gwynne reposted a tweet from a parody account, which made lude references and poked fun at her working-class background. The tweet reportedly read: 'I don't see what the problem is. It's literally impossible to give a b*** *** while wearing wired headphones. Anyone with a similar background to Angela would understand this.' Mr Ryan, a gay man, is said to have mocked an unnamed male Labour MP, who has never discussed his sexuality publicly and is not known to be gay. He is also said to have used an offensive nickname to refer to local Labour leader Colin Bailey. The Standard cannot verify what was said. Both men have apologised. Mr Gwynne tweeted: 'I deeply regret my badly misjudged comments and apologise for any offence I've caused. I've served the Labour Party all my life and it was a huge honour to be appointed a minister by Keir Starmer. 'I entirely understand the decisions the PM and the party have taken and, while very sad to have been suspended, will support them in any way I can.' Mr Ryan tweeted: 'Between 2019 and early 2022, I was a member of a WhatsApp group created by my MP and former employer, Andrew Gwynne. 'Some of the comments made in that group were completely unacceptable, and I fully condemn them. 'I regret not speaking out at the time, and I recognise that failing to do so was wrong. 'I did not see every message, but I accept responsibility for not being more proactive in challenging what was said. 'I also made some comments myself which I deeply regret and would not make today and for that, I wholeheartedly apologise. 'I will cooperate fully with the Labour Party's investigation.' Labour politicians have not confirmed whether other members of the WhatsApp group will also be suspended, but it's thought that further investigations could be conducted. Mr Pennycook told the Sunday Morning: 'I don't know, personally, what other people on that WhatsApp conversation have said… I've been very clear, there's an investigation taking place into the whole incident.'
