October 8th 2023.
In the early hours of this morning, the iconic Old Courthouse in Cockermouth was devastated by the collapse of a section of the back of the building. The bridge over the River Cocker was closed due to the incident at around 5am, and local residents are being urged to avoid the area and follow any diversions in place.
The building, which is estimated to be around 190 years old and housed The Honest Lawyer restaurant, was sold at auction in 2022. Although the collapse occurred near the town's flood walls, the Environment Agency have confirmed that the walls remain intact and the town’s flood risk has not been increased. Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
The grade-II riverside building was due to be featured on the BBC’s Homes Under the Hammer program in the future. Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington, has publicly criticised the Cumberland Council for not addressing the safety of the building sooner. He shared their post on X, formerly Twitter, and stated that the situation was entirely in their control.
In response to these concerns, a Cumberland Council spokesperson has released a statement that they are working with emergency services and other partners to assess the damage and take immediate action to protect public safety. They have also confirmed that a multi-agency response is now in place and they are continuing to work with the owner of the property.
The collapse of the Old Courthouse is an incredibly sad event for the local community. We hope that the authorities continue to take action to ensure the public safety and the integrity of the river.
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