The Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH), is set to create hundreds of jobs after a regeneration initiative of international significance gained backing. 

Based at Cleator Moor it is hoped that it is hoped that it will bring a range of benefits to the west Cumbrian economy and wider community. 

The iSH was given backing by Copeland Borough Council this week and it will create a solutions hub in Cumbria and allow collaboration with other specialist companies in the UK. It will deliver solutions to industry challenges which can be exported around the globe helping to create further job opportunities. 

At a meeting on Tuesday Copeland Council agreed to the establishment of the iSH company as a wholly owned ‘arms-length’ private company funded by Sellafield and the NDA in its early years.

John Maddison, iSH programme director, said: "This is a hugely significant day for iSH and we thank Copeland Borough Council and Sellafield and the NDA for their vision and their commitment to a programme which will help regenerate lives and businesses as well as an entire community.

"iSH is about Making Ideas Work. It's about creating the environment for jobs, employment, skills and training opportunities, it's about entrepreneurs, businesses and industry coming together to collaborate and design, develop and manufacture innovative solutions. And, most of all, through that success and business growth, it's about making a positive difference to people's lives and regenerating a community."

Part of the initial funding for the iSH project comes through the Cleator Moor Town Deal. The Town Deal Board, working with Copeland Borough Council, secured an offer of £22.5m from Government in June 2021 for five different projects which will help the area and its communities to thrive for years to come.

One of these projects is Enterprising Town, Phase 1 of iSH to develop new facilities at the Leconfield Estate in Cleator Moor. 

Copeland Borough Council chief executive Pat Graham added: "The iSH project aims to capitalise on the world-leading capability that exists within the Sellafield Ltd site, its workforce and supply chain, to grow capability beyond Sellafield Ltd and its mission, to provide a wider breadth of opportunity for businesses and individuals in the local economy, to encourage diversity and innovation, to provide new job opportunities and improve social conditions for local communities."