West Lakes appoints design consultant to oversee work

Grit & Pearl, a design consultancy from Gateshead, has been appointed to lead a new initiative by West Lakes Renaissance and the Arts Council England North West to "ensure high quality design is at the forefront" of the urban regeneration company's projects.

The consultancy will advise WLR's regeneration managers, as well as developers and planners, on the design aspects of projects including Marina Village in Barrow, and public realm improvements to Whitehaven, Workington and Maryport town centres.

Bob Pointing, chief executive of WLR, said: "High quality design and innovative and creative community engagement are essential ingredients to successful regeneration, which makes this initiative so important to Furness and West Cumbria. Grit and Pearl has an impressive track record and we are now looking forward to working with them to ensure West Coast Cumbria boasts striking buildings and surroundings which communities can be proud of."