West Cumbria Projects - Destination Maryport

The Wave Centre

Maryport is being repositioned as a hot spot for high-quality tourism and leisure. The Wave Centre is already helping to deliver this aim by providing a state-of-the-art arts and heritage attraction for visitors and locals alike.

Located near to the picturesque harbour, The Wave Centre boasts a theatre, cinema, conference facilities, a heritage centre, café, bistro and gift shop. Not only is it helping to draw visitors in the town – it is playing an important role in meeting the strong demand across West Cumbria for a high quality and specious events venue. Since opening in June 2008, the centre has taken on a hectic roster of events, including the Maryport Blues Festival, which continues to draw big names from the Blues scene and hundreds of locals and visitors alike.

The construction of the centre was project managed by West Lakes Renaissance on behalf of Allerdale Borough Council, and was delivered on time and on budget. The £3.3 million funding for the centre was channelled through the European Regional Development Fund, The Maryport Heritage Trust, The West Cumbria Development Fund, Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Ltd and Allerdale Borough Council. A portion of this funding has also gone to upgrading the exhibition at the nearby Roman attraction, The Senhouse Museum, and also towards improving signage for visitors to the town.

The Wave Centre, improvements to The Senhouse Museum, alongside existing attractions such as the hugely popular The Lake District Coast Aquarium, are all combining to help create a new chapter in this industrial town’s rich history.