Introduction

Inspiring Young People to Pursue Careers in High-Growth Sectors in a Safe, Accessible Space.

At a glance

Grade II Listed Building
£4.1 Million Redevelopment
BEC, SiX, Cumberland Council, BT & ATOS
Thomas Armstrong, NORR & Summers Inman
Operated by VR Gateway
DDA Accessible
Café Onsite
Skills & Education
Esports | VR Arcade | Board Games
Audio Lab | Podcast Studio

Address

6 Duke St, Whitehaven CA28 7ER

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Transforming Whittles into LEVELS, a cutting edge £4.1 million Digital & Gaming Hub in Whitehaven. BEC are committed to revitalising a historic Grade II listed building for today’s creative and digital generation.

In 2021, BEC acquired the landmark former Whittles Building in the heart of Whitehaven.

Set to open in late Autumn, after careful restoration of its iconic Italianate façade, LEVELS will span three floors of immersive technology: esports and VR zones, recording studios, dynamic workshop spaces, a café, and a rooftop terrace.

Through strategic partnerships with VR Gateway, Sellafield Ltd, BT, ATOS and others, we’re not just creating a physical space - we’re unlocking new pathways to digital skills, inspiring careers, and lasting social impact across West Cumbria.

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From Blueprint to Reality: Our Partners in Action

Thomas Armstrong – Built on Local Pride. Flimby-based and trusted for generations, Thomas Armstrong is turning the historic Whittles building into a cutting-edge digital hub. Beyond construction, they’re creating jobs, supporting young people, and breathing new life into Whitehaven.

NORR – Designing Tomorrow. NORR’s vision blends heritage with innovation. From the Bus Station to Whittles, they design spaces that inspire creativity, spark opportunity, and connect the community.

Summers Inman – Keeping LEVELS on Track. Summers Inman brings expert project management and cost control. Their guidance ensures LEVELS is delivered smoothly, on time, and true to BEC’s vision.

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A Truly Inclusive, Safe Space for All.

Access, Safety, and Opportunity – At the Heart of LEVELS

Designed with everyone in mind, LEVELS features a fully DDA-accessible layout and thoughtfully curated seating - including VR setups that work while seated or that can be adapted to meet individual needs - making the experience inclusive and empowering for all.

A smart membership system will govern access to gaming zones, providing age-appropriate content and parental oversight. This ensures that younger users can enjoy a safe, well-managed environment - parents and carers can monitor visits and even preload credits to help manage both spending and screen time.

Testimonials

What our partners say about LEVELS

"Thomas Armstrong is thrilled to have been appointed principal contractor for this exciting new development in Whitehaven, which continues our long-standing relationship with BEC. The development will bring substantial benefits to the local community. The project will rejuvenate the town centre and breathe new life into the Grade II listed building.”

David Atkinson

Managing Director, Thomas Armstrong

"Redeveloping this listed building is another vital step in sustainably revitalising important local buildings to benefit the Whitehaven community. Following the successful transformation of The Bus Station, we are delighted to continue our collaboration with BEC and Summers Inman to design and deliver the Digital and Gaming Hub.”

Robin Stewart

Architect & Director, NORR

"We welcome any plans that provide economic growth to our area. This is great news for Whitehaven and will bring a redundant building back into use, providing new training opportunities for future generations.”

Cllr Mark Fryer

Leader of Cumberland Council

"I really welcome this as one building block in rebuilding Whitehaven town centre to the fantastic and thriving place we want it to be!”

Josh MacAlister MP

Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington

"It's been incredibly rewarding to be part of something that’s not only innovative but also deeply meaningful for the local community. To see the transformation from something derelict into a building that what will be modern, accessible, and built for the future – a true hub for creativity, technology, and connection.Seeing the transformation take shape through hard work and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, and knowing this space will inspire the next generation of gamers, developers, and digital creators, has been one of the most exciting projects I’ve ever worked on. This isn’t just a building – it’s the start of a new chapter for Whitehaven.”

Andrew Rapmund

Associate Director

Gallery

Take a look inside LEVELS, Whitehaven

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Discover All Properties

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Ways to get in touch

Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd
Ingwell Hall
Westlakes Science Park
Moor Row, CA24 3JZ Get Directions

BEC is the trading name of Energy Coast West Cumbria Ltd (Co. no. 02234442)
Energy Coast West Cumbria Properties Ltd (Co. no. 02414283) & Energy Coast West Cumbria Workspace Ltd (Co. no. 02259526)

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Pavilion Café Opening Times

Our Purpose

We are profit for purpose.

Our Partners

We collaborate to maximise impact.

Our Team

We create impact together.

Community

We champion our local communities.

Sustainability

We are committed achieving net zero carbon.

Careers

Start your new career with us.

Westlakes Science Park

Blencathra Business Centre, Threlkeld

Eagle Labs at The Bus Station, Whitehaven

Pioneer Park, Moorside Site