Major £4.6m immersive centre LEVELS officially unveiled in Whitehaven

We marked a major new chapter in Whitehaven’s regeneration today with the official unveiling of LEVELS, a £4.6 million immersive entertainment and education centre in the heart of the town.

Developed by us at BEC, LEVELS is one of the most significant tech-led destinations to open in Cumbria. Located on Duke Street, the project has been brought forward with funding from Sellafield Ltd, BT and BEC.

Spanning four floors, the centre brings together immersive digital and gaming experiences, an esports arena, a café and interactive learning spaces. LEVELS has been designed to engage young people, their families and educators, while creating a welcoming, future-focused destination in the town centre.

By attracting people into Whitehaven throughout the day and evening, LEVELS offers a new reason to visit the town while giving young people access to experiences and skills that are rarely available outside major cities.

Michael Pemberton, Chief Executive of BEC, said: “LEVELS is about real-world opportunity and the future. We wanted to create something bold that gives young people access to digital experiences and world-class technology while also breathing new life into Whitehaven town centre.

“Developed as part of our ongoing long-term commitment to regenerating Whitehaven, this opening marks yet another milestone in the town’s transformation. We are proud to see it unveiled and open its doors to the community. This is a huge celebratory moment for our team, partners and funders.”

Sellafield Ltd, through its Social Impact Multiplied scheme (SiX), has contributed £3.3 million towards the development, alongside £800,000 from BT and a £500,000 investment from BEC.

Tracey West, Head of Social Impact at Sellafield Ltd, said: “The opening of LEVELS is a game-changer for West Cumbria for so many reasons. It represents the three key objectives of our social impact strategy in one project: improving access to sustainable incomes, enabling a resilient economy, and creating a thriving community.

“The building will be our area’s gateway into the rapidly growing digital sector. It will be a truly inspiring place where people can build skills, create connections, and explore their creativity.

“The stunning refurbishment of the building has brought it back to life and hugely improved the streetscape in a key area of the town. Congratulations to BEC and their contractors for bringing the vision to life.”

Jamie Reed, Director of Socio-Economics at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, added: “We take our responsibilities to the communities we work in extremely seriously. Working with and through our operating companies, we continue to make a real difference in our communities, working with partners on projects designed to drive economic growth and diversity.

“LEVELS is a fantastic accomplishment by BEC, with brilliant support from Sellafield Ltd and BT, and we’re ambitious to continue to deliver more progress in the future.”

LEVELS is expected to play a key role in encouraging interest in digital, technology and creative careers, while supporting wider regeneration and helping to reposition Whitehaven as a town investing in its future.

To find out more about LEVELS, visit levelswhitehaven.co.uk.