iSH are breathing life back into Cleator Moor
Breathing life back into Cleator Moor
Harnessing the unique skills of our people and place.
by Danni Murphy
Great things are happening in Cleator Moor and the future is looking bright. The town which was founded on industry is set to return to its roots with the upcoming developments at the Leconfield industrial estate, headed up and driven by iSH and Cumberland Council.
Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) is in the process of finalising plans that have been in the pipeline for the last few months and over the upcoming years we will finally see it coming to fruition.
The primary aim of the project is to create an industrial hub for businesses within the engineering, robotics, and manufacturing sectors. By extension, this hub and associated developments will provide hundreds of local jobs, allow for training and growth opportunities for future generations, and also help breathe new life back to the town of Cleator Moor.
Gary McKeating, the MD of iSH said: “It’s all about job creation and encouraging local economic growth in the area. Cleator Moor is a fantastic place filled with many independent businesses, all of which will benefit from the development. Cleator Moor is often overlooked but the reality is that the town is at the heart of the industrial sector here in West Cumbria. With Sellafield, West Lakes Science Park, and the Lillyhall Campus all within a close radius, this makes it the perfect location for this groundbreaking solutions hub.”
Although the hub will be anchored by the nuclear sector and work with Sellafield, the project is not exclusive to them, businesses can develop programs to work within the nuclear industry and branch out into other sectors.
Gary said:
“The idea is to develop a regional industrial cluster that we can then showcase to the world. From advanced Robotics to basic engineering, it’s going to be a place where new ground is broken. There will be opportunity for inclusive growth and the benefits for the local area will be huge.”
This has all been made possible with a £40 million investment which is going to allow for a stunning development that also has all the necessary infrastructure and facilities for the businesses set to move in once operational.
Gary has driven various economic development projects over the last 10 years such as the development of the new school campus in Whitehaven, The Edge on the harbourside, The Bus Station, and the renovation of the Lighthouses on Whitehaven’s piers as well as many more local projects.
Gary said: “I have immense pride in where we live, and I’d love everyone to feel that sense of pride of place, to look at their town and feel proud to be from here. We have passionate local people, excellent councillors and I look forward to helping them deliver the communities vision of what they want Cleator Moor to be.
As well as the Leconfield development, the town fund is also going to be transforming Cleator Moor centre in the near future.”
“There is so much happening in the town and it’s great to see.”
Building of the hub project is set to begin over the coming months and over the next few years we will start to finally see it all coming together. This is not only great for Cleator Moor but for all of West Cumbria.
iSH has been supported in this development by funding from Cleator Moor Town Deal Board which, working with Copeland Borough Council, secured a provisional offer of £22.5 million from the Government’s £3.6 billion Towns Fund initiative in 2022. Significant match funding sums have also been pledged by the NDA, Sellafield, and the Copeland Community Fund.
Further contributions have been made by Cumberland Council, the former Copeland Borough Council, and Cleator Moor Town Council.
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