Residents, community representatives and creatives have until Friday 10 October 2025 to help shape a shared vision for the future of Penrith Town Hall.
As the three-week programme of creative engagement events and activities draws to a close, the online survey remains open, with paper copies available at local libraries, leisure centres and community hubs across Eden.
In these final days of the Council’s Community Conversation, residents are being encouraged to share their ideas on how Penrith Town Hall could be transformed, celebrating its rich civic history while reimagining its role as a vibrant, creative and community-focused space for the future.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said:
“The response so far has been fantastic. It’s been wonderful to see so many people take part in creative and thoughtful ways, showing just how much Penrith Town Hall means to the community. The passion and ideas being shared are helping us build a vision that honours the history of this civic landmark, while reimagining it as a thriving creative and community space for future generations.
“If you haven’t already shared your views, there’s still time. You can complete our online survey or pick up a paper copy at key buildings across the area before Friday 10 October. Your feedback will help shape the future of this much-loved building at the heart of our town.”
With only two days left, Westmorland and Furness Council is reflecting on the huge levels of enthusiasm, creativity and community spirit shown in throughout the engagement programme.
Since launching the Penrith Town Hall Community Conversation last month, the Council, working with the Penrith Borderlands Town Team, community representatives and creative partners have delivered a wide range of workshops, events and pop-up activities designed to inspire and capture local ideas.
From market stalls where a comic artist illustrated people’s visions for the Town Hall, to the popular pop-up pump track that attracted residents of all ages, the engagement has been lively, imaginative and inclusive.
Direct community conversations in the town centre have also provided valuable opportunities to listen to aspirations for the building first-hand.
Across the sessions, local people have shared exciting ideas for how the venue could be transformed into a thriving, vibrant creative and community space, from a youth art studio and gallery to a music practice and performance space, and a community hub focused on health and wellbeing.
The Knotted Project theatre company have led theatre experiences with young people, while Japanese visual artist Yoko has worked with care home residents through interactive workshops to bring ideas for the Town Hall to life.
The Community Conversation forms part of a major redevelopment project for Penrith Town Hall, supported by £3 million from the Government’s Levelling Up funding and a further £500,000 from the Borderlands Place Programme.
For more information and to take part, visit: www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/PenrithTownHall.
