PLANS to create a new cultural hub for residents and tourists at the heart of the Eden Valley have moved forward.

Eden District Council has appointed Haworth Tompkins to carry out a feasibility study for the potential redevelopment of Penrith’s Grade II listed town hall.

Howarth Tompkins has worked with many of the UK’s leading cultural organisations and its projects have won more than 150 major design awards, published and exhibited internationally.

Steve Tompkins, director at Haworth Tompkins, said: “The town hall is a key civic building and we’re looking forward to exploring its potential to become a sustainable creative asset for Penrith.”

They will be joined by cultural consultants and producers TEAM, which is based in the area.

In addition to working on the study, TEAM will also deliver a three-year project to develop capacity and programming opportunities for cultural organisations and artists within Eden.

TEAM’s experienced strategists and producers, Conrad Lynch and Deborah Aydon, will be leading on the project.

In a joint statement, they said: “We are thrilled to be working with Eden District Council on this exciting piece of work to build capacity in the arts sector and develop a programme that will delight the people of Eden.

“We look forward to working with artists, makers and companies across the district as we develop ideas for the future.”

The projects form part of Eden District Council’s commitment to encouraging a vibrant cultural sector.

The authority sees the industry as a key part of helping communities to thrive in a post-Covid world.

Eden District Council leader, Virginia Taylor, said: “The town hall in Penrith is an important civic asset and I’m delighted that these two nationally successful organisations are developing ways to repurpose the building into a vibrant asset for Penrith’s future.

“Town centres everywhere are shifting from places where people go just to buy things, to places where they do things.

“Arts and culture are a key element in that economic offer – they keep communities connected and creative, provide destinations for tourists and visitors, as well as attracting the skilled working age residents Eden needs”.