Editing Workington (section)

==History==
{{Main|History of Workington}}
Between 79 and 122 CE, [[Castra|Roman forts]], mile-forts and watchtowers were built along the Cumbrian coast,<ref name="byers">Richard L. M. Byers (1998). ''History of Workington: An Illustrated History from Earliest Times to 1865''. Richard Byers. {{ISBN|0-9529812-2-X}}.</ref>{{rp|10}} as defences against attacks by the [[Scoti]] of Ireland and the [[Caledonii]], the most powerful tribe in what is now Scotland.<ref name=byers/>{{rp|11}} The 16th century ''[[William Camden#Britannia|Britannia]]'', written by [[William Camden]], describes ruins of these defences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cumberland |url=http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/cambrit/cumbeng.html#cumb1 |website=The Philological Museum, hosted by [[Shakespeare Institute|The Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham]]}}</ref>

A [[Viking sword]] was discovered at Northside. This is seen to suggest there was a settlement at the river mouth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The West Seaton Viking Sword |url=http://www.biab.ac.uk/contents/20404 |website=[[Council for British Archaeology|British and Irish Archaeological Bibliography]]}}</ref>

[[File:St Michael's Church, Workington - geograph.org.uk - 463828.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Michael's Church, Workington|St Michael's Church]]]]
[[St Michael's Church, Workington|St Michael's Church]] stands near the south bank of the Derwent. Parts of the building date back to the 12th century.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Church of St Michael|num=1144492|grade=II*}}</ref> [[Workington Hall]], now in ruins, was built in the mid-14th century as a [[peel tower]] (fortified house) and subsequently extended over many years as the seat of the [[lord of the manor]].<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Workington Hall|num=1144479|grade=I}}</ref>

The town developed as a port on the south bank of the Derwent. In the [[Industrial Revolution]], the town became a centre for iron and steel production.<ref name=Kelly>{{cite book |title=Kelly's Directory of Cumberland |date=1906 |page=292–293 |url=https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4/id/46228/rec/2 |access-date=19 May 2025}}</ref> [[Workington railway station]] opened in 1845 on the [[Whitehaven Junction Railway]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Railway Intelligence - Local - Partial Opening of the Whitehaven Junction Railway |work=Carlisle Patriot |date=14 November 1845 |page=3}}</ref>

Several bridges were damaged or destroyed by the River Derwent during the [[2009 Workington floods]].

===Regeneration===
[[File:WorkingtonClock.jpg|thumb|right|Workington's New Clock, 2008]]
In 2006, Washington Square, a £50 million shopping centre and mixed-use complex, was opened to replace the run-down St John's Arcade, built in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Washington Square, Workington |url=http://www.s-harrison.co.uk/projects/completed/washington-square-workington/index.php |website=S Harrison Developments Ltd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Town Centre Redevelopment |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/business/regeneration/regeneration-projects/regenerating-towns/workington-town-centre.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516062358/http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/business/regeneration/regeneration-projects/regenerating-towns/workington-town-centre.aspx |archive-date=16 May 2011 |access-date=19 October 2006 |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref> In 2007, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors named Washington Square the "best commercial project" in [[North West England]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kerrush |first=G. |date=25 May 2007 |title=Town Centre Wins Top Award |work=[[CN Group#List of CN Group Publications|Times & Star]] |url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/business/1.3476}}</ref>

Works of [[public art]] installed in the town centre include:
*Glass canopies designed by Alexander Beleschenko<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Beleshenko Glass Canopies |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/public-art/glass-canopies.aspx |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref>
*''The Coastline'' by Simon Hitchens<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coastline |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/public-art/coast-line.aspx |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref>
*''The Hub'' by BASE Structures and Illustrious<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Hub |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/public-art/the-hub.aspx |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref>
*The Grilles architectural metalwork at Central Car Park by [[Tom Lomax]] in association with pupils from St Patrick's Primary School<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Grilles of Central Car Park |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/public-art/car-park-grilles-design-scheme.aspx |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref> and Alan Dawson.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alan Dawson Associates Ltd – architectural metalwork |url=http://www.adaptahaus.co.uk/about.php |website=Adaptahaus}}</ref>
*Central Way public toilets with tiles designed in collaboration by ceramic artist Paul Scott and writer Robert Drake, in addition to a fish tank containing species from the [[Solway Firth|Solway]] provided by the Lake District Coast Aquarium in [[Maryport]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Central Way Timeline Toilets |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/public-art/public-toilets-design-scheme.aspx |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref> by Paul Scott and Robert Drake
*Lookout Clock, an interactive town clock designed by Andy Plant and Matt Wand<ref>{{Cite web |title=The New Town Clock |url=http://www.allerdale.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/arts-and-entertainment/public-art/lookout.aspx |website=Allerdale Borough Council}}</ref>

While efforts have been made to find local names for the major streets of the new shopping centre, the initial planning title of Washington Square has been retained.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dixson |first=Nicole |date=13 December 2002 |title=Thumbs up for the new look |work=[[Cumberland#Legacy|West Cumberland Times and Star]]}}</ref>

===Workington Stadium plans===
In February 2019 plans for a new stadium for Workington were announced. This would in involve the demolition of Borough Park and Derwent Park.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Plans lodged to demolish Borough Park |date=5 February 2019 |url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/17408158.plans-lodged-to-demolish-borough-park-and-build-new-stadium//}}</ref>

In June 2019, it was announced by the new leadership of [[Allerdale Borough Council]] that a new sports stadium would not be built.<ref>{{Cite web |title=new stadium plan rejected by Allerdale Council |date=28 June 2019 |url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/17737242.new-stadium-plan-rejected-by-allerdale-council/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Workington Rugby League World Cup withdrawal 'lost opportunity' |work=BBC News |date=4 July 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-48873781/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/stadium//|title=Stadium for Workington}}</ref>

===Cloffocks development===
A plan to build a {{convert|92900|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} [[Tesco]] Extra store on the Cloffocks provoked controversy and opposition from local people; a planning application was placed in 2006 by Tesco, after it acquired the Cloffocks site for £18 million;<ref>{{Cite news |last=McGowan |first=P. |date=18 May 2006 |title=Tesco Puts in Plans for Cloffocks |work=[[CN Group#List of CN Group Publications|Times & Star]] |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/tesco-puts-in-plans-for-cloffocks-1.319462}}</ref> Tesco had been competing with [[Asda]] for the site since 2003.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Breen |first=C. |date=27 October 2005 |title=Tesco Wins Battle for Workington Supersite |work=Times & Star |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/tesco-wins-battle-for-workington-supersite-1.406674}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 January 2004 |title=Tesco Wins Battle of Cloffocks |work=Times & Star |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/tesco-wins-battle-of-cloffocks-1.442510}}</ref> Campaigners opposed the sale, stating that the land was common ground and belonged to the people of Workington.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Meller |first=B. |date=24 November 2006 |title=Move to Stop Cloffocks Sale |work=Times & Star |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/move-to-stop-cloffocks-sale-1.296053}}</ref> In 2010 the Countess of Lonsdale invoked her rights to mine the land, in an attempt to prevent the development.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coleman |first=Phil |date=6 April 2010 |title=Countess Could Hold Key to Stopping Tesco's New Store Plan |work=Times & Star |url=http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/countess-could-hold-key-to-stopping-tesco-s-new-store-plan-1.692117}}</ref> In 2011 a closed meeting of Allerdale councillors discussed the sale of the site,<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 2011 |title=D-Day for Future of Tesco's New West Cumbrian Store |work=Times & Star |url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/politics/d-day-for-future-of-tesco-s-new-west-cumbrian-store-1.821310}}</ref> but the council rescinded on its decision to sell it to Tesco in June 2011. Tesco stated that it was still seeking a site for a store of {{convert|60000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} around Workington to replace the established one.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 June 2011 |title=Tesco U-Turn Over Plans for Store in Cumbrian Town |work=Times & Star |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/tesco-u-turn-over-plans-for-store-in-cumbrian-town-1.853171}}</ref>

===Closure of MEP's European Parliament office===
In 2014, North West MEP [[Julie Ward (politician)|Julie Ward]] closed her Workington office and relocated it to [[Manchester]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=North West MEP Julie Ward quits Workington |date=22 September 2016 |url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/17026274.north-west-mep-julie-ward-quits-workington/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=North West MEP Julie Ward accused of turning back on Cumbria |date=25 August 2016 |url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/news/17026241.mep-accused-of-turning-back-on-cumbria/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Only North West MEP Julie Ward based in Cumbria, closes her office |date=23 August 2016 |url=https://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/16760122.only-north-west-euro-mp-based-in-cumbria-closing-her-office/}}</ref>