A group set up to explore the options for Penrith’s future says it wants to be a springboard for other organisations.
The 17 people from across the social, commercial and political spectrum, all of whom live or work in the town, have united under the banner of Penrith Futures Partnership to draw up a discussion document on reshaping and reimagining Penrith’s town centre.
They want to see the town flourish and have asked for people’s opinions on a report they have produced.
The feedback will be used to help inform a future direction for the town.
Empty shops, heavy traffic, a down at heel park, shabby signage and an overall lack of strategy around the future of the town are being targeted by a diverse coalition of campaigners with a shared goal.
Group members have worked for months behind the scenes to create the 42-page paper, digging into every aspect of Penrith, from high street retail, to housing, signs, traffic, parking, environmental concerns, connectivity and more.
They have looked outside for inspiration and come up with a range of ambitious suggestions including converting former retail space to residential property; boosting walking and cycling routes from the town to surrounding countryside and managing traffic to enhance the retail experience for shoppers.
“We want to start a wave that is not going to stop. We are not going to let it go,” Dave Knaggs, Penrith town councillor and one of the group’s key players, told the Herald.
“We are building support for some radical changes to save Penrith from continuing to slide into being somewhere fewer and fewer people want to come.”
Local politicians are among those involved in the Penrith Futures Partnership group. But this is not a political movement and is not affiliated to any other organisation.
Group members include well known figures from the business, financial, property development and academic community, including Philip Cranston, of Cranstons butchers; Mark Bowman, owner of the Lounge and the Warehouse; Elspeth James, of Penrith Building Society; and Barry Turner of Atkinsons Builders; as well as Ben Perris, who represents Eden and Carlisle on the UK Youth Parliament.
The group is diverse, but all those involved share a concern for Penrith and a belief that with the right interventions the town can be set on a new course and make the most of its obvious assets.
They came together in the wake of what they describe as Cumbria County Council’s “bungled” closure of the town centre to traffic at the height of the pandemic.
Richard Utting, another of those involved, said: “There was a toxic debate about the pedestrianisation of the town centre. I had a letter published in the Herald at that time and I was contacted by (architect) John Bodger, and we began to make connections with other people who might be interested.
“Speaking with others, we found we all had similar perceptions and understanding of the situation.
“Nobody could meet in person at that time, and we began to meet via Zoom, every two to three weeks, and it evolved to the point where it has crystalised into this report.”
Both Dave and Richard acknowledge that others have tried to tackle some of the same issues in the past, without success.
“The crux is that things haven’t happened in the past when people thought they were going to,” said Richard. “The enthusiasm for projects such as Castle Park builds up, and then it reaches a full stop and then has to start all over again,” added Dave.
“Through this report we want to build up the conversation within Penrith, to build up pressure which can’t be resisted, and then, we believe, things will start to happen.”
Crucial to the group’s vision is a high level of public engagement with the discussion paper.
Feedback from those living and working in the town, and those visiting, will be a vital tool in influencing policy and even applying for funding from outside bodies.
They hope as many people as possible will take the time to read the report and respond via their feedback form.
The introduction to the discussion paper boldly states: “Even before the social and economic impact of COVID-19, Penrith and its town centre irrevocably changed and will continue to do so.
“It is increasingly evident that there is no benefit in clinging to a sentimental, sepia toned vision of the past. The past has gone.
“We must now plan for a reshaped, reimagined Penrith that acknowledges our rich heritage, restores our cultural identity and preserves our uniqueness and character.
“The alternative, in our view, is a spiral of decline, degeneration and decay.”
Those in the group believe that post pandemic regeneration funding from central government, as well as Borderlands Project and the National Lottery Heritage Fund could be key to bankrolling improvements for the town and surrounding areas.
The group wants to hear from you and it’s easy to give your feedback. Just read the report here and fill in the form below.
