Whitehaven's Market Place in line for Lottery money
Whitehaven's Market Place area is in line to get a £650,000 revamp after being successful during the first stage of funding bidding.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has agreed in principle to pay Copeland Council to overhaul buildings and bring empty properties back into use.
The money has also been earmarked to improve the James Street and Lower Swingpump Lane areas.
The council will make a second detailed bid for the funding in September.
The town's YMCA will also be getting improvements if the five-year project is approved.
The money is part of HLF's Townscape Heritage Initiative. HLF has given Copeland Council £48,000 so it can prepare its final bid by September.
A spokesman for the council said: "A Townscape Heritage Initiative earmarked first-round pass means that money has been set aside by the HLF for the scheme in question.
"Competition at this stage is tough, and while it does not guarantee funding, it is an indication of positive support."