Last updated at 12:36, Friday, 14 September 2012

Maryport traders met this week to discuss how to spend a £10,000 windfall from shopping celebrity Mary Portas.

The Government is backing ideas inspired by the shopping advisor, which are aimed at reviving rundown high streets across the country.

Maryport requested £90,000 in its original bid to become a Portas pilot town, but failed twice to get any cash.

However, the Department for Communities and Local Government recently announced that Maryport would be in line for £10,000 as long as it could outline what it would do with it.

Businesses met on Tuesday to look at ways to enhance the town.

Suggested ideas included the adoption of a loyalty scheme, like that used in Cockermouth.

Steve Wood, owner of the Carlton in Senhouse Street, also has a shop in Cockermouth and said the scheme was popular and cost retailers little.

Maryport town councillor Carol Tindall suggested posts from which flower baskets could be hung with space to attach decorative or promotional banners.

Toni Magean, new town centre manager, said that although the deadline to secure the £10,000 was the end of this week, the community had more time to finalise details of how the money would be spent.

First published at 11:53, Friday, 14 September 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk