WHEN KING EDWARD I gave the royal seal of approval to its charter, he can scarcely have imagined that, seven centuries on, Ulverston would still be a thriving market town.

It was the monarch’s decision which transformed it into traders’ territory and laid the foundations of a long and proud history which is still as strong as ever.

News that the number of empty shops in the heart of Ulverston is down to 6.4 per cent - its lowest since the credit crunch began to bite in the spring of 2008 - is arguably proof of a resilience and popularity which is likely to be the envy of other high streets across the country.

Beneath those quirky cobbles and behind the colourful shopfronts lies a wealth of passionate councillors, residents and traders who have worked to carve out an identity as a haven for the independent shops, grocery stores and cafes which are, more often than not, the hardest hit in a recession.

And it’s one of the reasons traders are champing at the bit to move in. “It recognises that it’s really important to have independent business and shops on the high street,” said Hester Robson, owner of Tantrum toy shop, which opened up in Market Street around four months ago.

Grange born and bred, Hester had been living in Winchester before deciding to swap the hospitality industry for the world of business, and her heart was soon set on Ulverston. The mother-of-two felt that its individuality fitted in well with Tantrum’s eclectic mix of traditional and quirky toys.

“A lot of other places, bigger towns and cities all tend to look the same. When you come here it’s different.

“It’s quirky, there are festivals and things going on here and it attracts a certain type of shopper who is looking for that something extra.

“Trade has been good, it’s been busy and I’ve sold out of some things already.”

Florist Nina Dougan has just celebrated the first anniversary of her business Floral and Hardy, which opened up in Market Street last September.

“I chose Ulverston because it’s quirky, individual and there’s a good atmosphere,” said the 24-year-old.

“You get a great mix of tourists and Ulverston people who want to come in to buy their flowers from a local business.”

It has not always been rosy, however.

Shoppers strolling down Market Street a year or so ago would have bore witness to a row of vacant spaces, the butchers’ displaying a "closed" sign pressed against the glass of a locked door, never to be unturned.

Where other places have been swallowed by big chains, Ulverston has strived to retain its reputation for uniqueness.

While there are big-name bookmakers, and the likes of Costa, Boots and Tesco are present, there is a healthy balance. Campaign group Keep Ulverston Special argues that plans to build a supermarket on the site of the former Robinsons brewery threaten to destroy this.

In recent months, Tantrum and fishmonger Lake District Lobster and Seafood have moved in, along with the conversion of the Grapes into an interiors and gift shop.

Ulverston is now second only to Windermere - where just five per cent of units are not filled - and is well below Kendal, with 9.9 per cent, Ambleside’s 8.3 per cent and Bowness with 8.7 per cent. Chris Knowles, who runs Lake District Lobster and Seafood with his partner Chris Sanders, said: “Ulverston is still very much a market town, and that’s why we wanted to move in here. In places like Barrow, the supermarkets dominate, but here it’s not like that.”

Its success has also been put down to a jam-packed events calendar, which includes the annual Dickensian Festival, taking place from November 28 to 29.

Ralph Spours, chairman of Ulverston Traders Association, said: “ I don’t think there’s one weekend where there isn’t something going on.

“It keeps people interested in the high street, it gives them a reason to come into town and see what is there. They might come across something they haven’t seen before, or a new shop which has just opened.

“The business community in Ulverston is excellent. Traders are very enthusiastic, they get involved.

“There’s nowhere like it.”