Gaming and training hub opens in listed Whitehaven constructing

A £4.6m gaming and training hub has opened its doorways inside a Grade II-listed constructing in Whitehaven.

Levels occupies the previous Whittles constructing on Duke Street within the Cumbrian city, providing e-sports set-ups for aggressive gaming, a flight simulator and a studio house.

It is hoped the power will assist increase digital expertise and maintain younger individuals within the space.

“It’s about providing not just entertainment, but an engagement with tech around awareness with digital skills [and] career pathways,” mentioned Levels managing director Ian Irving.

Michael Pemberton, from British Energy Coast (BEC), which helped develop the challenge, mentioned the hub was a “place for everyone”.

“If young people want to come along and have a play, they absolutely can,” he added.

“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.”

Schools can cowl elements of the nationwide curriculum by taking pupils to the centre to make use of among the know-how.

Levels director Gemma Leadbetter mentioned the revamp of the constructing, which had stood empty for years, was “transformational” for Whitehaven.

“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 mentioned.

“This is in a very high-visibility spot here. There’s not a vehicle that can drive through Whitehaven that doesn’t pass this.”