Hub comes to life for first time
Last updated 15:23, Thursday, 13 March 2008
THE CENTREPIECE of Workington’s £35 million town centre is set to be unveiled at the end of the month.
The Hub is a canopied outdoor performance space in the middle of the Washington Square development, which will have lighting and technology to create a 3D sound.
It will be suspended from buildings in Washington Square at a 25 degree angle and is the final piece of the development. It will be unveiled during the last week of this month.
Music by local bands and schools will be playing as well as sounds recorded from around the town.
Ron Munby, Allerdale mayor, said: "The Hub will add that final touch to the new town centre which is predominantly a business centre.
"It will bring together business, art and music and that is fantastic.
"The Hub will make the whole shopping experience in Workington enjoyable for shoppers."
Councillor Alan Barry said: "The Hub is the last part of the jigsaw for Workington and it will put us on the map.
"I hope it will be a springboard for other people to use the Hub, it can really make a difference in the town and the idea of 3D sound is fantastic."
The Hub costs £330,000 and is paid for by part of a £2.74 million grant from the Northwest Development Agency for public art.
Gillian Bishop, chief executive of Allerdale council, said: "To have such an innovative, high-tech facility in Workington town centre, which will be available for all members of the community, is fantastic.
"The Hub is the pinnacle of the development and a lot of credit needs to be given to the NWDA for the support they have given because the work they have done has been great."
Chris Whittle, 25, of Dan Wilson Avenue, Maryport, works in Workington's H Samuel store.
He said: "It will be interesting to see if the Hub gives Workington a better atmosphere."
Alison Tucker, 30, of Devonshire Street, said: "It looks good in theory but we will have to wait and see."
Also planned is a redesign of the area in front of Woolworths on Pow Street to provide extra seating.
Other works of art being paid for by the NWDA include a steel column outside the HSBC bank on Pow Street, the Coastline on Washington Street, grilles in the multi-storey car park, the Lookout clock by the Natwest bank, toilets underneath the multi-storey car park, gates throughout the new development including those at the Debenhams goods yard and glass canopies lining the new development.
