Maryport has a new pop-up shop in the town’s former Natwest Bank.

It is the new home for Alexander Micros, a computer, laptop and television business run by Malcom Crellin.

He has taken over the Senhouse Street building temporarily while plans are drawn up to revamp and relaunch it.

The bank closed on July 13 following a drop in demand.

Businessmen John George and Martin Stephenson have bought the property and have carried out some work on its interior.

Mr George, who owns the card and gift shop From The Heart of Maryport and Maryport News newsagents shop, both on Senhouse Street, says it is too early to say what it will be used for in the future.

He explained: “We are having plans drawn up and we have to see if they are viable.

“It is still early days yet, there is no panic and no rush to develop it.”

As well as buying and selling laptops and carrying out repairs, Mr Crellin also sells parts all round the world, shipping out to Russia, Sri Lanka and the USA.

Meanwhile, businesses and residents are being asked their opinions on changing the layout of the town’s main street yet again.

More than a decade ago the two-way road was closed to most traffic to trial it as a pedestrian street.

Pavements were widened, with a narrowed one-way carriageway for deliveries and disabled drivers.

The pedestrianisation was scrapped after traders complained it was ruining business.

It was reopened as a one-way road because of its narrowness.

Since then there have been concerns about drivers using angled parking bays having to reverse out into traffic.

Some business want to see the street widened again with parking allowed on both sides.

Another scheme would see the scrapping of the bus stops at the top and bottom of the street and replacing them with one halfway along.

The county council has hired consultants to review the layout by the end of this month.