Eden Council hopes for an £8 million out-of-town enterprise hub for Penrith have been strongly attacked, with its funding bid this week described as destined to fail and ill conceived.
Representatives of Penrith Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Penrith and Eden Business Network and Penrith Futures Partnership weighed in on an imminent funding bid backed last week by Eden District Council’s ruling cabinet.
Councillors agreed to lodge a £7.2m bid to the government Levelling Up Fund, for what has been described as a purpose-built state-of-the-art facility at Stoneybeck roundabout close to the A6 and B5305 near Junction 41 of the M6.
But opponents have insisted the regeneration of Penrith town centre must come first — rather than shifting business out of town to an unsustainable location — with claims the bid will fail at the first funding hurdle.
However, Dr Neil Hudson MP, for Penrith and the Border, came out in support of the project, which he said would allow businesses to thrive and put Penrith on the enterprise map.
He said: “Making sure the Government’s keystone Levelling Up agenda works for rural communities such as ours has been one of my main priorities since being elected — that’s why I’ve been so pleased to work with councillors and local stakeholders on our powerful application.”
Councillor Mary Robinson, portfolio holder for economy and enterprise at Eden Council, said: “Eden District Council’s cabinet was delighted to give the green light to a formal bid to be made to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, for a new state-of-the-art enterprise facility for Penrith, Eden and the wider regional economy.
“This is a key part of our ambitious Inspiring Eden plans to drive economic recovery, prosperity and levelling up through enterprise and entrepreneurship – with a particular focus on achieving rural excellence for our rural communities.
“We feel we have a real chance with this bid, as the project fits the Government’s criteria for levelling up – particularly across our rural communities – providing value for money and being ready to deliver.
“A key element of the Enterprise Hub is to encourage collaboration through a range of knowledge exchange opportunities between academia and business, to unlock the full potential of local enterprise and entrepreneurship.”
The project will also provide a catalyst for other Inspiring Eden projects, including the Inspiring Eden Hub, which seeks to reduce the number of empty shops in Penrith town centre and provide a base from which other projects across the town and the wider district will be driven.
It is hoped that the hub could be open for business as soon as December 2024, if the bid is successful.
