Last updated at 13:08, Friday, 01 March 2013

Twenty traders will take over Cockermouth’s Market Place tomorrow as the town’s monthly market is revived.

READY TO TRADE: Front from left, Julie Watson from Cockermouth Sweet Shop, Rosie Watson from Cockermouth School, Kerry McPhee from Cumbria Food Direct and Manon Plouff from Wild Zucchinis with, back from left, Nick Shill from Shill's of Station Street, Marcus Cosgrove from Cumbria Food Direct, Nick Lawler from Winder Hall and town centre manager Joe Broomfield, on Market Place

Cumbrian Food Direct has taken over the operation for 12 months.

A market will be held on the first Saturday of every month from 10am to 3pm.

The road will be closed from the entrance to Bitterbeck car park for about 330ft.

Traders including Cockermouth Sweet Shop, Shill’s of Station Street, Winder Hall and Ennerdale Brewery will take stalls.

Pupils from Cockermouth School have also booked a stall.

Cumbrian Food Direct is working with Allerdale council, community group Riversmeet, the town’s chamber of trade and Cockermouth School to revive the market, which has been held in the town since the 13th century.

Numbers had dwindled in recent months, with as few as two traders, which meant it was unviable.

Riversmeet put forward ideas earlier this month and since then has worked with Cumbrian Food Direct on the project.

It will now be known as the Cockermouth Local Produce Market.

Riversmeet will hold a indoor local and home-made craft and produce sale at the same time in its Market Street building.

Kerry McPhee, of Cumbrian Food Direct, said: “We are full with 20 local food and drink suppliers signed up.

“The idea is that we will recreate a bustling market again with plenty of choice. We want to bring that vibrancy back to Market Place.”

It is hoped that street entertainers and cookery demonstrations may take place alongside the market in future.

First published at 12:35, Friday, 01 March 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk