Cockermouth Sweet and Fudge shop will not reopen.

Julie Watson's Main Street shop was badly flooded in December and all her stock, including fudge, chocolates and Christmas hampers, was ruined.

Shortly before the flood she had opened a cafe in the shop after months of planning.

Julie, who ran the business with her mother, Yvonne,  said: "Various reasons have lead to this decision. Two years ago Main Street was closed for much of the year while flood defences were put in.

"That nearly put me out of business and Allerdale did not help by still charging us our full business rates throughout.

"Many of us struggled to get up and running again and then the floods hit.

"People end up shopping elsewhere and it is so difficult to win them back, there is so much competition from the bigger stores in town, which can sell things much cheaper.

"I'm gutted. I have put my whole life into that business, another independent shop bites the dust.

"I do think Main Street will take a bit of a battering economy-wise.

"What worries me most is that it will end up full of high street shops, which would be so sad. 

"I would not have been able to afford the insurance if I had decided to open again."

Julie is going to take some time out before deciding what to do next.