Last updated at 19:52, Thursday, 12 July 2012

Plans to open an indoor market in the centre of Maryport have been revealed.

Steve Wood wants to convert the ground floor of the vacant Carlton Cinema building, on the corner of Senhouse Street and Curzon Street, into a market selling goods not already available in the town.

He said he hoped, if planning permission is granted, that it would be open by November.

Mr Wood said he planned to offer reasonable rents and three-monthly renewable leases.

He said: “What is crushing a lot of businesses is the rents being charged.

“If I can offer affordable rates and not tie people in to long contracts they will be able to see how it works out and decide whether to carry on.

“I really believe we can make a go of an indoor market. If we can provide what people want they will shop here and that will be good for everyone.”

He said he wanted to attract traders selling affordable goods not readily available in the town centre. These could include children’s clothing and toys, old fashioned sweets and biscuits, footwear, household goods such as bedding and linen, and his own pottery.

He added that a cafe would also be welcome.

As well as trying to attract new stall holders, he said he would be happy to work alongside existing businesses in Maryport and elsewhere who might want to sell through the market as well as from their individual shops.

He said as soon as he obtains planning permission, he will begin erecting stalls.

Mr Wood added: “I want these to be something special. I am thinking of having them all different colours like the beach huts at Southwold, for instance.”

He also plans to turn the upper floors into two maisonettes.

He added: “With the design of the Carlton and my hope that we can have floor-to-ceiling windows, I think they will be very attractive. Two will have their own mezzanine floor.

“I know there is a need for reasonable rental accommodation in the town.”

Mr Wood said that if the market took off he would close his china shop in Cockermouth.

Mr Wood bought the Carlton Cinema four years ago as a base for a pottery business and cafe.

Just four months after opening, dry rot was found on the ground floor and he was forced to close the cafe immediately, eventually having to liquidate that part of the business.

He said: “Since I came here, we have had two recessions and a lot of pottery firms have gone out of business, including some big names.

“I’ve gone from a staff of 15 to two and am now back where I started – decorating and glazing pottery.

“We are no longer manufacturing it on the premises.

“I still have some prestigious clients, including Historic Scotland and the former royal yacht Britannia, so I will continue the business in the Carlton.”

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk