Town's businesses optimistic despite challenges

Some Maryport businesses say there is a "buzz" in the town

Businesses in a coastal town say its High Street is doing well despite recent challenges.

A recent report from the Federation of Small Businesses found that 70% of High Street shop owners were at risk of closing.

But Gemma Hornsby-Lofthouse, who recently opened her business Essence Wellness in Maryport, Cumbria, said: "Maryport is an up-and-coming area."

Up to £12m is being invested in Maryport as part of Cumberland Council’s regeneration project in the town.

Essence Wellness offers service such as red light therapy, floatation therapy and massages

Ms Hornsby-Lofthouse opened her business in the last month, and said people have asked her: "Why start a business on a High Street, and why start a business in Maryport?"

She added that people said the town had lots of empty buildings, but the shops were "getting fuller by the day".

Michelle Mayman, owner of the independent clothing shop The Three Frogs, said: "It’s our first summer so it’s hard to say what it would have been like before, but it has been quiet due to the bad weather."

She added that this was because they sold a lot of summer clothing, which had not been apt for the weather.

Michelle Mayman is marking the one year anniversary of her shop The Three Frogs this weekend

But Ms Mayman added that recent regeneration was "exciting" for the town, and "there are lots of people wanting to open new businesses".

Recent work has included improvement work on the town’s Senhouse Street, which included changes to parking areas and new signage.

Work is also under way to transform the former Carlton cinema into a community arts, music and theatre venue.

'Buzz about town'

Janice Andreassen, a licensee at the Tap Tavern pub, said: "We’ve seen some brilliant weekends over the summer.

"There’s lots going on, there’s a buzz about the town."

Debbie Wright runs the cafe Her Citi, which hosts art exhibitions and events, and has been open in the town for 18 years.

She said: "We are fortunate here that we have had a massive investment."

Ms Wright added that Maryport businesses did well because people in the town "have seen it all...real deprivation, and they had to climb out of that".