Last updated 10:34, Friday, 03 October 2008

A MARYPORT businessman’s plan to expand his cafe-bar in the town has been scuppered by a lack of regeneration cash, he claims.

Matt Todd wanted to add six hotel rooms and three self catering units to McMenamins to ensure the future of the business, but because there was no support from regeneration agencies his plan has been put on hold.

Mr Todd said the cafe-bar, on Irish Street, which opened 18 months ago, was struggling because of the credit crunch.

He said he was angry because national pub chain Punch Taverns was given £110,000 in regeneration funding to revamp the Royal Victoria pub, while he, a local businessman who had created 24 jobs, could not get any support.

He said: “That money would be a minute amount of money to a huge company like Punch Taverns and a life saver to me. That is why I feel angry and bitter. Before I did up Leo’s I was told there would be all sorts of help available, but when I need it there is nothing.

“People believe that we have had help but we haven’t. Everything that has gone into McMenamins has been our family’s money. We’ve had no help.

“Our sales were 30 per cent down on the previous January and it has gone from there.

“People aren’t going out now. We have regulars who used to come once a week. Now they come once a month.”

The credit crunch has forced the cafe-bar to revamp its menu and it is in the process of getting rid of the most expensive wines on its list.

He added: “Nobody is going to pay £20 for a bottle of wine at the moment so we are taking those off the list and replacing them with more affordable wines.”

A new chef, Andy Robertson, has started work at McMenamins.

She said her aim was to provide an affordable menu.

The Royal Victoria received financial assistance through the Maryport Townscape Heritage Initiative, which aims to improve the town centre. The scheme was introduced after McMenamins opened.

Mr Todd said the expansion would make the business economically viable but said he would find it difficult to get a loan in the present money market.

He claimed he was told there was no regeneration money available.

Mr Todd said he was delighted to see that the nearby Golden Lion had been bought by Maryport newsagent Phillip Cueto and that the Lifeboat had reopened under the ownership of baker George Kemp.

An Allerdale council spokesman said: “Specific support for business, including assistance with marketing and business planning, is available through the West Cumbria Development Agency, along with Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business Link.

“We would encourage local businesses to contact the regeneration strategy service at Allerdale council for an introduction to business support services on 01900 702766.”