New £4.6m education centre and esports arena ‘LEVELS’ opens in Cumbria

A new £4.6 million immersive entertainment and education centre known as LEVELS has opened in Whitehaven, Cumbria, complete with an esports arena promoting digital skills.

Developed by social impact property developers BEC, LEVELS has been brought forward with funding from Sellafield Ltd, BT and BEC. 

Sellafied Ltd, through its Social Impact Multiplied scheme (SiX), have contributed £3.3 million towards the development, with a further £800,000 from BT and £500,000 from BEC themselves. 

Across four floors, the centre includes immersive digital and gaming experiences, an esports arena, a cafe and interactive learning spaces, aimed at engaging young people, their families and educators. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LEVELS Whitehaven (@levelswhitehaven)

Set to attract people into Whitehaven throughout the day and evening, the centre offers a new reason to visit the town while giving young people access to experiences and skills rarely available outside major cities.

An entry-level Rocket League esports competition was held to celebrate the opening, with nine teams signing up and some pro Rocket League players offering coaching and support as the matches were streamed on Twitch. Oneallsports, British Esports’ merchandise and apparel partner, also produced the jerseys.

LEVELS plans to field teams in the British Esports Student Champs, and will also offer Leadership Skills Foundation esports courses.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by LEVELS Whitehaven (@levelswhitehaven)

British Esports’ upcoming Gaming and Esports Arena is opening just a stone’s throw away from West Cumbria in Sunderland later this year, making the esports offering even more significant, and helping to position the region at the heart of a rapidly growing national movement.

“The upcoming opening of the British Esports Arena in Sunderland really cements the importance of an esports presence here in Cumbria,” said Gemma Leadbetter, Chief Operating Officer at BEC. “Aside from the technical skills which taking part in esports develops, it also helps young people build transferable skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving, while creating lasting friendships and a real sense of community.”

Michael Pemberton, Chief Executive at BEC, added:

“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.”
Michael Pemberton, BEC

“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.”

Tracey West, Head of Social Impact at Sellafield Ltd, added: “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, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) Director of Socio-Economics, commented: “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.

Leader of Cumberland Council, Cllr Mark Fryer, said: “This is great news for Whitehaven and the wider Cumberland area. It supports wider plans to support growth, skills and the local economy in our area. It has brought back to life a redundant building and will provide new training opportunities for future generations.”

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