Workington MP Sue Hayman is calling for Cockermouth to lead the way and pilot a scheme to help flood risk businesses struggling to get insurance.

Support is vital to ensure the future of the town’s Main Street, say traders.

Tessa Milner owns Andessa jewellery on Main Street, which was badly flooded.

“I renewed my insurance two weeks before the floods so I am currently running blind, I do not know if I can renew my insurance. I need specialist insurance because of the nature of my business but if I can’t get it then that’s another shop off Main Street.

“If we have a pilot scheme here and can get insurance, then shops will be able to remain and the town centre will recover. It’s vital, a lifeline for us all. The sooner the better, this should all be in place well before the anniversary of the floods.”

Sam Merry owns Pure Touch Beauty on Main Street. She had to move into new premises as the insurance was so high on her original base following the floods.

“It’s so important that this is sorted out or Cockermouth will become a ghost town, we are all keen to get back to normal.”

The Environment Agency is in discussions with insurance companies about what measures can be taken to support business owners.

There is currently no equivalent for businesses of the recently-introduced FloodRe scheme for residential properties. Shop owners are hoping that a similar scheme will be introduced and Mrs Hayman is pushing for Cocker- mouth to pilot the initiative.

“A lot of businesses have exactly the same concerns. I have been raising it in parliament,” said Mrs Hayman.

“It’s something I’m extremely keen to push because we can’t allow businesses to be left without insurances or with insurance they can’t afford.

“It puts great uncertainty on business owners and their staff.”

Steve Bishop, Cockermouth and District Chamber of Trade chairman, said it is an important issue that has to be resolved. He said: “I don’t want it to all be forgotten in the midst of everything else that is going on at the moment in the political world.”

At a chamber meeting attended by up to 50 people last month, people discussed the need for support for businesses affected by flooding and struggling to get insurance.

The Kirkgate Centre meeting was chaired by Mrs Hayman. Andy Brown, of the Environment Agency, spoke about insurance issues and said the agency was in talks with some companies.