
A grant of £36,000 from Cumberland Council means that much-needed repair work can start on the lifelong home of the Cumbrian poet Norman Nicholson in Millom.
The grant utilises funds from the Government’s ‘levelling up’ UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Chair of the Nicholson House project Charlie Lambert said: ‘We’re so grateful to Cumberland Council and UKSPF for supporting us in this way. Their grant, along with the funds we secured last year from South Copeland GDF Community Partnership, means we can go ahead with vital work to the exterior of the house. This will include a completely new slate roof and a remodelling of the entrance to the building so that it replicates the style of the house when Nicholson’s father, Joe, ran a gents outfitters business there while his family lived above the shop’.
Following a tendering process the construction contract has been awarded to J.Nuttall Building Services of Millom, who will start the two-month project next Monday, February 3rd. Charlie Lambert said: ‘We’re delighted to award the contract to Joe Nuttall. The Nicholson House project is about celebrating and promoting the writings of Norman Nicholson but it’s also about making a real difference to his home town, and that includes generating revenue for local businesses which we’re doing here’.
The Nicholson House project took ownership of the house at 14 St George’s Terrace last February. Their next target is to secure funding for repairs to the interior of the building with the aim of opening it as a unique café, a centre for small group activities, accommodation for a writer in residence or general tourists, and a Nicholson exhibition. Planning permission for the house’s future use was granted last month.