Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham visited the Old Police Station in Ulverston to see first-hand how work is progressing on the transformation of the historic building.

The visit gave Michelle an opportunity to tour the site, meet the team behind the development and hear more about BDN’s plans to breathe new life into the distinctive building which has stood vacant for more than a decade.

Built in 1881, the former Police Station occupies a prominent position on Neville Street, on the edge of Ulverston town centre. BDN acquired the site with plans to sensitively restore the historic building and create a new mixed-use destination combining workspace, high-quality short-stay accommodation and, as the wider development progresses, new places to eat, drink and spend time.

Work began earlier this year on the first phase of the £3.5million redevelopment. It will see the main Police Station become the new home of BDN’s growing North West team, alongside nine luxury apartments for visitors to the town.

Some of the building’s most distinctive features will also be given a new lease of life, with the former jail cells incorporated into the short-stay accommodation – retaining the character and history of the building while creating something completely new.

During her visit, Michelle heard more about BDN’s ambition for the development and the role it can play in strengthening Ulverston’s visitor offer.

Michelle Scrogham MP said, “I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the progress being made on old police station in Ulverston. I met the team at Building Design Northern who showed me how they’re transforming this historic, but neglected, building into short-stay accommodation, office spaces, and a courtyard offering food, drinks, and commercial spaces.

“This site will offer something new to locals and visitors alike. You can already see good progress being made, and I can’t wait to see how it will be used and incorporated into our little festival town when it’s finished.”

Already known for its independent businesses, festivals, cultural attractions and its position as the starting point of the Cumbria Way, Ulverston attracts visitors throughout the year. The Old Police Station will add a new and distinctive place to stay, encouraging more people to base themselves in the town and spend time exploring Ulverston and the wider Furness area.

The wider vision for the site will see the former Courthouse and surrounding buildings brought back into use too, creating further short-stay accommodation alongside food, drink and independent commercial spaces.

The redevelopment follows BDN’s work on other regeneration-led projects which have brought historic buildings back into contemporary use, including Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland, which opened as a food, drink and leisure destination in 2024.

Work is continuing at the Old Police Station, with the first phase of the development expected to open next year.