West House, Cumbria’s leading care and support provider for children, young people, and adults with learning difficulties, is thrilled to announce that construction on their new Hall Garden development within Workington’s Hall Park will officially begin in March, marking a major step forward in transforming this historic space into a vibrant hub for learning, creativity, and community connection. Local company, Cubby Construction, has been awarded the contract to bring this vision to life, with the project set to open in autumn 2025.
Once complete, the restored Walled Garden will provide hands-on training opportunities for the adults that West House supports in horticulture, catering, and customer service through an inclusive growing space and cafe. A refurbished pottery studio will nurture creativity, while the wider space will offer a welcoming environment for workshops, events, and leisure activities. Designed with accessibility at its heart, the Walled Garden will be a space for everyone, offering a place to develop skills, connect with the community, and enjoy the historic surroundings of Hall Park.
The project is made possible through Government funding, in partnership with Cumberland Council, as part of the wider Ramsey Brow regeneration project. Speaking about the development, Councillor Mark Fryer, Leader of Cumberland Council, said: “West House is a fantastic Cumbrian charity and we are really pleased to be partnering with them on this initiative which is part of the wider Workington Gateway project. This new facility will not only provide amazing opportunities for the people they work with, but will also transform the Walled Garden in Hall Park, and complement the new paths, lighting schemes and pathways we have planned.”
Tommy Cubby, MD of Cubby Construction, added: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract for the new Hall Garden Development, not only making great use of the area but more importantly creating a safe and exciting place for its users to learn, develop skills and get creative. We’re looking forward to working with West House again on another impactful project which will benefit the local community and the people of Cumbria”.
Buttress, the architects behind the project, also shared their enthusiasm. “As architects, it’s always rewarding to see a project finally come together. This marks an exciting new chapter for West House. The new space will provide a dedicated area for creativity, social connection, and learning, strengthening the support West House offers. Our work on this project is part of a wider commitment to creating meaningful spaces that bring people together. With several Buttress projects underway across Cumbria, we’re looking forward to seeing our work take shape and the impact it will have on local communities.”
As construction gets underway, West House looks forward to bringing the community along on this journey and sharing updates as the project progresses.
James Cox, CEO of West House, said: “We are incredibly excited to see work begin on this ambitious project. The Walled Garden will provide invaluable opportunities for the people we support while also creating a fantastic community space for Workington. This is a huge step forward, and we can’t wait to see it take shape.”
For more information on the project, visit www.westhouse.org.uk/hall-garden
