Millions to be invested in renovating the former YMCA building

Copeland Community Fund and Britain’s Energy Coast have today announced that they will provide significant funding to the Whitehaven Foyer Company for the work to convert the former YMCA building into a young people’s Foyer.

Copeland Community Fund are to contribute £1m towards the £2.8m project whilst Britain’s Energy Coast are contributing a further £750,000 in partnership with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Nuclear Management Partners.  Today’s announcement demonstrates how the organisations can work in partnership to support key projects in West Cumbria.  Other Funders such as the Francis C Scott Trust and Cumbria County Council have already contributed to the development of the Foyer.

The news comes after the Whitehaven Foyer received planning consent last week to develop purpose built supported housing for local young people at the rear of the site.  The original building will also be sensitively renovated to provide a resource centre for community use.

Elaine Woodburn of the Copeland Community Fund said “The Fund were keen to support this project as it fulfils a real need in Copeland to create important housing provision for young people and will bring back to life a significant building that had become a long standing eyesore. Alongside the Albion Square development the Whitehaven Foyer contributes to the overall improvement of this whole area of the town. The CCF is proud of the contribution it is making and is looking forward to witnessing the positive difference and opportunity the Foyer will have for the young people of Copeland."

Rt Hon Brian Wilson, Chairman of Britain’s Energy Coast, said “We are delighted that we have been able to award £750,000 of funding via Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Nuclear Management Partners to help make the Whitehaven Foyer a reality.  This forms part of wider range of investments in Whitehaven town centre, alongside Albion Squares and Whitehaven Marina, to help improve the local economy.”