Nearly 200 people attended a Visioning Day which could influence Cockermouth’s future, with even more having their say through an online survey.

The event was held to kick-start consultation on a Community-Led Plan.

The aim is to identify what people already see as the strengths of the town, and what they see in the Cockermouth of the future.

Throughout 2026, ideas will be gathered about what the town needs to develop for the good of all, with new ideas which can be carried out at a very local level, or those which need wider input.

A Community-Led Plan identifies how local issues can be tackled and what opportunities there are to develop the community and the area.

Supported by Cockermouth Town Council and ACTion with Communities in Cumbria, the Visioning Day gave locals and visitors the chance to focus on four key themes – getting around, living here, our environment, work and play.

Students at local schools have already been involved and their ideas were on display.

A huge amount of notes were made and these are now being collated to inform the Plan’s next steps.

They ranged from super simple ideas like hedgehog-friendly routes with strategic holes in fences and the planting of more trees, wildlife and nature were very common themes, to great big projects like the creation of a family activity centre, a more affordable mix of housing, and ways of attracting more tourists.

Other suggestions included more seating, bins and recycling in the town centre, a park-and-ride, better use of Harris Park and Memorial Gardens, and cycling facilities too.

Chris Bridgman, chair of the Community-Led Plan steering group, said: “The Visioning Day went extremely well and it was great to welcome so many people through the doors.

“The majority lived in Cockermouth but others came from the surrounding area, showing how the town is a key location in Cumbria.

“We have many hundreds of ideas to consider now and I look forward to announcing the top suggestions in the coming weeks and months.

“If you couldn’t attend but would like to get involved, please do fill in the online survey.

“Your views all count.”

More information about Cockermouth’s Community-Led Plan, and a link to the survey, is available here and also via the group’s new Facebook page.

Alternatively, you can email cclp@cockermouth.org