Barrow Christmas market has £10k boost
Last updated at 16:50, Thursday, 13 September 2012
BARROW’S traditional Christmas markets will be back bigger and better than ever this year thanks to some generous donations.
Cumbria County Council agreed to put £10,000 towards the popular event, which is organised by the North-West Evening Mail.
The decision yesterday follows an equally generous grant from Barrow Borough Council of £10,000 to help spread Christmas cheer around the town.
The markets, which will be held on December 1 and 2 and December 8 and 9, were greeted with enthusiasm from both traders and the public upon their debut in 2011.
A survey after last year’s event showed that 81 per cent of town centre traders supported the markets’ return, with 63 per cent reporting an increase in customers coming through their doors.
The markets will give businesses the opportunity to sell their wares in specially erected stalls and gazebos along Dalton Road and Cavendish Street.
A parade featuring Santa Claus and real-life reindeer will bring the event to an appropriately festive conclusion. County councillor for Hindpool Anne Burns moved at a meeting of the Local Committee for Barrow yesterday that the funding should be increased from the proposed £5,000 to £10,000.
“It is a great initiative and I think we’ve got to support it,” she said. “It’s not a lot of money to try and build it up.”
County councillor Jill Heath of Dalton North said the markets deserved the council’s support at a time when shop owners were finding trading conditions very difficult. “This a much-needed event that will bring extra footfall to the area,” she said. “We must continue to support the traders in this town.”
Cavendish Street’s Crafty Hobbies co-owner Shelagh Morrall said she had already ordered stock in anticipation of this year’s markets.
She said they were a great way for businesses to advertise their products and capitalise on the Christmas spending spree.
“We enjoyed last year’s Christmas market,” she said. “We found it a positive experience – although we could do with it being a bit warmer this time.”
First published at 16:44, Thursday, 13 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
so frank your grandson found a new job if he had`nt he`d be on benefits would you still call him a layabout scum living on hand out`s no i don`t think you would so engage your small brain before you make any comments
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20K taken from the council taxpayers of Cumbria to be blown by this paper on a string of wooden sheds tarted up for Christmas in Dalton Road for a long weekend or so.
Revolution or evolution is required ,whichever comes first, as this situation cannot be allowed to continue.Beggars belief how cavalier the councils are with the cash they force people to hand over for 'essential' or 'frontline services'!
Posted by Tony on 14 September 2012 at 16:04