Three holiday flats are getting the go-ahead above Paddy's on Washington Street Three holiday lets approved above Paddy's Irish bar on Washington Street in Workington
Marra Mode is how we'd tell you this in the Co-op. Switch it off for the straight version.
The council's said yes to turning the function room and manager's flat above Paddy's on Washington Street into three holiday lets. The bar downstairs isn't going anywhere.
This one's for anybody living or working round Washington Street in the middle of Workington, and the Paddy's regulars.
On 15 October the council gave the go-ahead to turn the upstairs of Paddy's Irish bar, at 41 Washington Street, into three holiday lets. The old function room and the manager's flat are being made into places for visitors to stay. Two of them will be upstairs in the main building and the third in a bigger bit round the back. The bar downstairs carries on like normal.
One neighbour objected, worried about access, bins and parking. There's no parking at the building itself, but council officers said there are plenty of car parks and street spaces a short walk away, and it's handy for the bus and the train.
There was a bit of fuss about a door from one of the flats out onto the raised decking at the back as well. The owner's agreed it'll be kept locked and hooked up to the fire alarm, so it's only for emergencies, and guests won't be allowed to sit out on the decking, so the neighbours keep their privacy.
Officers reckoned holiday lets are a good fit for the town centre and won't make much difference to folk living nearby.
It comes as Workington gets ready for more visitors, with the Tour de France starting in Cumbria in July 2027.
What you can do: you can have a look at the full plans and the officers' report on Cumberland Council's planning portal, reference FUL/2026/0080. If you've got a problem once the lets are open, like that emergency door or the decking being used, get in touch with the council's planning enforcement team and quote the same reference.
Cumberland Council has given permission to turn the function room and manager's flat above Paddy's at 41 Washington Street, Workington, into three holiday lets. The bar on the ground floor stays.
This is for people who live or work around Washington Street in Workington town centre, and regulars at Paddy's.
Cumberland Council granted planning permission on 15 October to convert the upper floors of Paddy's Irish bar, at 41 Washington Street, into three holiday lets. The plans turn the existing function room and the manager's accommodation into visitor flats. Two will be in the upper floors of the main building and the third in an extended area at the back. The bar on the ground floor will carry on as it is.
One neighbour objected, raising worries about access, rubbish and parking. There is no parking on site, but council officers said several public car parks and on-street spaces are within walking distance, and the building is close to bus and rail links.
There were also concerns about a door from one of the flats onto a raised decking area at the back. The applicant agreed the door will be locked and linked to the fire alarm, so it can only be used as an emergency exit, and guests will not be allowed to use the decking as a terrace, to protect the privacy of neighbours.
Officers said holiday lets suited the town-centre location and would not have a significant impact on people living nearby.
The decision comes as Workington prepares for more visitors, with Cumbria hosting the opening of the Tour de France in July 2027.
What you can do: you can read the full application, plans and officers' report on Cumberland Council's planning portal under reference FUL/2026/0080. If you have a concern about how the building is used once the lets open, such as the emergency door or decking, contact the council's planning enforcement team and quote that reference.