Date announced for demolition of historic Henry Curwen pub, Workington

In November 2023, the Cumberland Council planning committee decided to approve plans for the demolition of the former Henry Curwen public house and reinstatement works at Ramsay Brow to enable the widening of the A66/A595 junction.

The council has now announced that the work on the demolition of the pub is due to start in June and will take 8-12 weeks, with the junction enhancement work starting in autumn.

The pub has historic significance in the town. Records show the building first gained the Curwen name in 1829, as the Curwen’s Arms, although a building had been there since 1793.

The pub was named after Sir Henry Curwen, who was nicknamed Galloping Harry because of his interest in horse racing and breeding.

A Jacobite rebel, Sir Henry, who was extremely wealthy, had a long-running feud with his family and was found murdered in 1725.

At the time of the application for demolition, the council acknowledged the building had historical significance, however they said this had been greatly diminished due to works on the Henry Curwen in the 1940s.

During a consultation Workington Town Council strongly objected to the demolition of the building they say was of 'historical and cultural' significance.

In an officer's report at the time of the application, Workington Town Council said: "The committee noted that the application received was for the demolition of the Henry Curwen pub only and did not give details of the widening of the road at Ramsay Brow."

The junction enhancement, which requires demolition of the former Henry’s Bar, is one part of the £10million Workington Gateway project, which is being delivered by Cumberland Council with funding from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF).

The project will enhance transport infrastructure, improve safety, regenerate local heritage assets and grow the local economy through the three workstreams: Strategic road improvements, Enhanced Active Travel and Animating Hall Park.