A £4.6 million gaming and education hub has officially opened its doors in a Grade II-listed building in Whitehaven, Cumbria. The facility, named Levels, occupies the former Whittles building on Duke Street, offering state-of-the-art e-sports setups, a flight simulator, and a versatile studio space. This development aims to enhance digital skills and encourage young people to remain in the area.
Levels managing director Ian Irving emphasized the hub’s dual role in entertainment and education.
“It’s about providing not just entertainment, but an engagement with tech around awareness with digital skills [and] career pathways,”
he stated. The hub is designed to be a community asset, catering to both casual visitors and those seeking to develop future-ready skills.
A Community-Centric Initiative
The project has been developed with support from British Energy Coast (BEC). Michael Pemberton, a representative from BEC, described the hub as a “place for everyone.” He highlighted the facility’s primary mission:
“If young people want to come along and have a play, they absolutely can. But the reason for this facility’s existence is to be able to take young people and skill them in what needs to be in place for the future and to retain young people in this area.”
Local schools are encouraged to integrate visits to Levels into their curriculum, allowing students to engage with cutting-edge technology and cover parts of the national curriculum in a practical setting. This initiative is seen as a significant step towards modernizing education in Whitehaven and equipping students with essential digital competencies.
Revitalizing a Historic Landmark
The transformation of the Whittles building, which had been vacant for years, is being hailed as a major milestone for Whitehaven. Levels director Gemma Leadbetter described the renovation as “transformational” for the town.
“The building’s been in decline for properly 20 years and it’s been a real challenge from a development point of view, but I think what we’ve done in terms of the facelift of this building is really transformational for the town,”
she remarked.
Strategically located in a high-visibility area, the hub is expected to become a focal point for both residents and visitors. Leadbetter noted,
“This is in a very high-visibility spot here. There’s not a vehicle that can drive through Whitehaven that doesn’t pass this.”
The renovation not only preserves a piece of the town’s architectural heritage but also injects new life into the local economy.
Looking Forward: Implications and Opportunities
The opening of Levels comes at a time when digital skills are increasingly crucial for career development. By providing a space that merges education with technology, Whitehaven positions itself as a forward-thinking community ready to embrace the digital age. The hub is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives in other towns facing challenges of youth retention and skill development.
As the hub begins to welcome its first visitors, the local community remains optimistic about its potential impact. The hope is that Levels will not only enhance educational opportunities but also stimulate broader economic and social benefits for Whitehaven and the surrounding region.
In the coming months, Levels plans to roll out a series of workshops and events aimed at further engaging the community and showcasing the diverse possibilities within the tech and gaming sectors. This proactive approach seeks to ensure that the hub remains a vibrant and integral part of Whitehaven’s future.
