Planning permission for new museum in Maryport’s Grade II listed Christ Church

Planning permission has been granted to convert a Grade II listed church on Maryport’s harbourside into a new home for Maryport’s Maritime Museum.

Christ Church is a prominent landmark on Maryport’s harbourside and has connections to the artist LS Lowry who featured it in his paintings during visits to West Cumbria, as well as in the work of Sheila Fell, his protégé, who was from Aspatria.

The Grade II listed building, which dates to 1872, has sat empty for a number of years. Allerdale Council bought it in 2020 with the intention of restoring it and bringing it back into public use.

We first began working with Allerdale Borough Council in 2020 to support their development of a bid to the Government’s Future High Street Fund. Following the successful application, we have worked with the council to develop the listed building consent application to relocate the museum into the church, working closely with the local community to help shape the proposals.

Now that planning permission has been granted, repairs will be carried out to the exterior of the building while, inside, preparations will be made to accommodate Maryport Maritime Museum. This will include a timber pod with a mezzanine floor to house the current collections and future exhibitions and displays.

Councillor Mike Johnson, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council and Executive Member for Economic Growth, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for Maryport with lots of fantastic projects in the pipeline. We’re aiming to put the town firmly on the tourism map with new and better visitor attractions, and to give a new boost to the high street for those lucky enough to live and work here.

“The Christ Church project is one of the most prominent initiatives which I can’t wait to see it come to fruition and will bring to life our ambitious plans for Maryport.”