‘Nowt ever gars on in West Cumbria’

“Nothing Ever Happens in Cumbria”? Think Again.

It is often said that nothing happens in Cumbria, or that the North is forgotten. The reality on the ground tells a very different story. Across the county, investment is flowing into projects that will shape the region’s future in energy, technology, business, and community life.

Pioneer Park, Moorside - BEC

In West Cumbria, a 400-acre site at Moorside has been opened up for development under the name Pioneer Park. The land has been earmarked for clean energy infrastructure, including the potential for new nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors, alongside renewables like wind and solar. The site is strategically significant because it positions Cumbria as a cornerstone in the UK’s transition to cleaner energy systems.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Workington - Carbon Neutral Fuels

Workington will be home to one of the UK’s most ambitious clean fuel projects. Carbon Neutral Fuels is planning a facility to produce up to 25,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel each year. The process will combine green hydrogen with carbon captured from the air, creating a cleaner alternative to fossil-based jet fuel. Once complete, the facility will contribute to global decarbonisation goals while creating jobs and supply chain opportunities in West Cumbria.

Digital and Gaming Hub, Whitehaven - Levels

In Whitehaven town centre, the former Whittles building is being transformed into a £4.1 million digital and gaming hub called Levels. The project will provide immersive technology, e-sports facilities, creative workspaces, and equipment for digital learning. It is designed to inspire younger generations while creating opportunities for skills development in a sector that continues to grow across the UK. By bringing digital innovation into the heart of the town, Levels aims to keep talent and investment in the region.

iSH Enterprise Campus, Cleator Moor - Industrial Solutions Hub

Cleator Moor is the site of the new Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH). Supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and the Cleator Moor Town Deal, iSH will provide infrastructure for collaboration between businesses, universities, and communities. The focus will be on advanced engineering, robotics, skills development, and innovation. This project is about creating a physical space and fostering an ecosystem where local people and organisations can work together to solve industrial challenges and grow capability.

The Edge, Whitehaven - Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners

A new coastal activity centre called The Edge is being built along the Whitehaven coastline. With a budget of more than £4 million, the facility will provide water sports activities, training, hospitality, and accommodation. Sixteen en-suite rooms will be available for visitors, and the centre will also include a café and meeting spaces. The Edge will attract tourists, encourage outdoor activity, and give the local community new opportunities to engage with the coast.

The Innovation Centre, Workington - Cumberland Council

Workington is seeing progress on a £12.4 million Innovation Centre, designed as a home for advanced manufacturing and digital technology start-ups. The building will offer flexible office and laboratory space and business support services. Sustainability is at the heart of the design, with solar panels, air-source heat pumps, cycle storage, and high energy efficiency standards built in. Once complete in early 2026, the four-storey centre will give entrepreneurs a base to grow while supporting regeneration in the town.

A Region Moving Forward

When taken together, these projects show an active, ambitious, and future-facing Cumbria. Energy, technology, and community projects are progressing rapidly, supported by significant investment.

The idea that nothing ever happens in Cumbria is out of step with reality. The county is not forgotten. It is helping to build the future.