Independent local intelligence

This week MP says rumour about the former Commercial Hotel in Cleator Moor is untrue This week Workington Reds beat Alfreton Town 3-0 before FA Trophy trip to Ashton United This week Cumberland's gritters are out for the first time this winter, a week earlier than usual This week Cleator Moor community groups can apply for free labour and materials from the hub builders This week Workington cricketer Paul McKeown picked for England Lions over-60s tour of India
Local Cleator Moor · West Cumbria

Got a Cleator Moor group with a project stuck? The hub builders are offering free help Cleator Moor community groups can apply for free labour and materials from the hub builders

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From Cumberland Council
Marra Mode

Marra Mode is how your mate would tell you down the pub over a pint. Switch it off for the straight version.

Cleator Moor community groups can apply for free labour and materials from the hub builders
Marra News

The firm doing the new Community Hub on the Square wants to help local groups with their own projects, for free. You've got until noon on 2 January to get your form in.

If you help run a club, a hall or any not-for-profit group in Cleator Moor or Cleator, this one's worth five minutes of your time.

The firm building the new Community Hub on the Town Square, Story Contracting, has said it'll give local groups a hand with their own projects. We're talking proper help: labour, materials and know-how, all free. The council announced it on Tuesday 10 November, and the work would happen in the first eight months of 2027.

It's part of the "give something back" promises that come with the hub contract. The hub itself joins up and does up the library and the old credit union building, with a better library, space for young people and a café with a proper kitchen, and the Square's getting tidied up too. It's all part of the £4.2 million Revitalised Town project, one of four schemes in the Cleator Moor Town Deal, which landed £22.5 million from the Government's Towns Fund.

There are a few boxes to tick. Your group has to be not-for-profit and have a committee or board. You need a plan for keeping the project going after the help ends, you need to show there's no other obvious way of getting it done, and you need to show how it helps Cleator Moor.

Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer said: "I would encourage eligible groups to come forward and make the most of this opportunity."

Bob Metcalfe, who chairs the Town Deal Board, said: "Whether it's providing expertise, materials or practical help, this support from Story Contracting could make a real difference in getting local projects off the ground."

What to do: the application form is linked from the council's news page, "Cleator Moor community groups invited to apply for project support". Get it in by 12 noon on Saturday 2 January 2027. Not sure if you qualify? Story Contracting says it's happy to answer questions, and the email's on that council page.

Story Contracting, the firm building Cleator Moor's new Community Hub, is offering labour, materials and expertise to local not-for-profit groups. Applications close at noon on 2 January 2027.

This is for volunteers and committees running not-for-profit groups in Cleator Moor and Cleator, from sports clubs and community centres to youth and arts groups.

Cumberland Council announced on Tuesday 10 November that Story Contracting, the main contractor building the town's new Community Hub, is inviting local groups to apply for practical support. Successful groups will get labour, materials and expertise from the firm to help move a community project forward. The help will be given during the first eight months of 2027.

The offer is part of the social value commitments that come with the hub contract. The Community Hub on Cleator Moor Town Square will link and refurbish the existing library and the former credit union building, with better library facilities, space for youth activities and a café annexe with a commercial kitchen. The Square itself is also being improved. The hub is part of the £4.2 million Revitalised Town project, one of four schemes in the Cleator Moor Town Deal, which secured £22.5 million from the Government's Towns Fund and is managed by the council.

To be eligible, a group must be not-for-profit and have a committee or governing body. It also needs a plan for keeping the project going, must show there is no other obvious way to get the help it needs, and must show how the project will benefit Cleator Moor.

Cllr Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said: "I would encourage eligible groups to come forward and make the most of this opportunity."

Bob Metcalfe, Chair of the Cleator Moor Town Deal Board, said: "Whether it's providing expertise, materials or practical help, this support from Story Contracting could make a real difference in getting local projects off the ground."

What you can do: download the application form from the council's news page, "Cleator Moor community groups invited to apply for project support", which links to the form on Story Contracting's website. The deadline is 12 noon on Saturday 2 January 2027. Story Contracting says it is happy to answer questions about eligibility and the application process; the contact email is on the council page.