How would you transform Penrith Town Hall into a venue that would celebrate its history as a civic landmark and reimagine its role for the future as a thriving creative and community space?
Westmorland and Furness Council has today (Wednesday 17 September 2025) launched a Community Conversation inviting everyone to help co-create a future vision for this iconic Grade II listed building in the heart of Penrith.
A total of £3 million from the Government’s Levelling Up funding has already been secured on the basis that the future use of the building will be as a community and creative hub. There is also a further £500,000 ring-fenced from the Borderlands Place Programme.
Working alongside the Penrith Borderlands Town Team, community representatives, cultural and creative partners, the Council has created a packed programme of engagement events to inspire the residents of Penrith and the surrounding area to help produce a shared vision for the future use for the Town Hall.
The approach ensures everyone can share their ideas for what kind of community and creative space they would like to see in the Town Hall through attending these events and/or completing a survey.
The survey, along with more information on the project and programme of events is now live on the Westmorland and Furness Council website. Paper copies of the survey can also be found at the following council buildings and community hubs across Eden; Penrith Library, Penrith Leisure Centre, Eden Foyer, Appleby Tourist Information Centre, Kirkby Stephen Library and Alston Library.
The Community Conversation Shepherd’s Hut will be touring Penrith and the surrounding area as a mobile space, offering fun and imaginative ways for everyone to share their views and contribute ideas.
The Council’s Team will be attending existing local events across Penrith, including the Creative Writing Club, Knit and Natter, and Baby, Bounce and Rhyme sessions at Penrith Library, alongside the free pop-up pump track located next to Wetheriggs Lane from Saturday 27 September to Friday 3 October.
Dedicated sessions with community groups, local schools and care homes are also planned to ensure everyone has a voice. The Knotted Project theatre company will lead theatre experiences with young people, while Japanese visual artist Yoko will work with care home residents through interactive workshops to bring ideas for the Town Hall to life.
Councillor Helen Chaffey, Cabinet Member for Communities, Customer Services, Culture and Communications, said: “Today we have launched a Community Conversation that places local people at the heart of reimagining Penrith Town Hall. For generations, this building has been central to civic life, and now we want to work with the community to shape its future.
“Over the next four weeks, we will be out and about in Penrith and the surrounding area to capture as many views as possible. We are being creative in our approach and hope it works for you in terms of putting across your views, feedback is always welcome. At the end of the day, this is your opportunity to influence the future of this iconic place”.
The feedback gathered through the Community Conversation will help shape the design and business case for the redevelopment of the Town Hall, to ensure that the future use of the building as a community and creative space reflects the ambitions and wishes of the community.
The deadline for completing the survey is Friday 10 October 2025.
For more information visit www.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/PenrithTownHall.
