Whitehaven Bus Station: from new start to 5 years of impact

A landmark regeneration project in West Cumbria is celebrating 5 years of success.

The Bus Station in Whitehaven, West Cumbria

The Bus Station in Whitehaven, West Cumbria opened in May 2021. It transformed a derelict site into a modern business and hospitality space. Since then, it has become a busy hub for entrepreneurs, start-ups and creatives.

The project was led by BEC and supported by a £5.4 million investment from Sellafield Ltd, through the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The funding is part of Sellafield Ltd’s social impact, multiplied (SiX) programme,  which supports local communities across West Cumbria.

Euan Hutton, chief executive officer of Sellafield Ltd, said:

The Bus Station is a great example of how our social impact programme is helping to unlock opportunity in West Cumbria.

Through our SiX funding, we’ve supported the transformation of a disused space into a thriving hub where businesses can start, grow and succeed.

Alongside businesses like Co-Lab, it shows the difference we can make by working with partners to create places that support innovation, skills and sustainable economic growth in our communities.

Over the past 5 years, the Bus Station has helped drive local growth. It’s now home to a growing business community and includes The Peddler, a popular 120-seat restaurant that brings more people into the town.

generated over £350,000 each year for the local community

ensured that 70% of its construction spend stayed within the local supply chain

The building provides 7,700 square feet of flexible workspace, including co-working areas, private offices and meeting rooms.

The Bus Station continues to show what can be achieved when organisations work together, supporting jobs, skills and business growth across West Cumbria.

One success story supported by the space is Co-Lab. Clyne Albertelli set up the engineering solutions business, based in the Bus Station, in 2022.