Last updated at 19:41, Thursday, 26 July 2012

Maryport has failed again to become a Mary Portas pilot town.

HIGH STREET RESCUER: TV star Mary Portas

It was announced this week that 15 more areas have been chosen as pilot schemes to benefit from a grant of up to £100,000 to improve high streets, but none of them are in Cumbria.

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

Maryport lost out in the first round and was able to reapply for the second round but found out on Wednesday that it had again been unsuccessful.

Allerdale council said that the loss of the bid did not mean the end of hope to revive Maryport’s town centre, where several shops have closed.

Kevin Kerrigan, council planning and economic growth manager, said: “We are hugely disappointed. With around 420 entries from towns across the country, there was tough competition.

“The council is hoping to work with partners to keep the momentum going that was generated through the Mary Portas bid process.”

The council is due to unveil a town manager team structure to look after the district’s seven towns.

Claire Driver, Maryport town centre manager, left two months ago but the council’s new town teams will include two town centre managers.

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 26 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk