A SCHEME to breathe new life into a small town on market day has been devised.

Plans to liven up the streets of Ulverston were put before the town council at a meeting on Monday.

Deputy mayor Paul Smith made a suggestion that would help the streets of the historic market by filling it with trade.

Cllr Smith said: "I'd like the council to investigate the possibility of encouraging shops and cafes to come out on to the street during market days and get them selling their products directly on to the street.

"Each premises would have an area where they could put their wares. It's about encouraging retailers to bring their stuff into the the street and bring some life back into market day."

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Councillors were interested in the idea, but thought it was something that needed to be explored in further detail.

Councillor Amanda Rigg was concerned about the effect it would have on other market traders.

She said: "I do understand the idea being proposed because the market is not the thriving market it used to be.

"My only concern is whether it might be a bit demoralising for other stall holders."

Shop owners are also undecided on the matter and believe there could be a simpler answer.

Nina Dougan, owner of Floral and Hardy's and Stanley's furniture store in Market Street, said: "We pay a lot of business rates on both shops and that's why we do big window displays to draw people in.

"We have a big stall outside already with the plant man so I'm not sure it will make much of a difference.

"We need to attract more stalls, I understand that, but the layout at the moment just doesn't work. There are huge gaps.

"And I know people are too busy to have a stall outside as well as running the shop but I do agree that something needs to be done."

However, the majority of councillors believed there was merit in the idea and are keen to investigate further to see if more can be done to help give the markets a boost.

Councillor Janette Jenkinson said: "I think this is a good idea to see if we can progress with this.

"There will be pitfalls, because there always are, but that shouldn't stop us having a discussion on whether this is something we could do."

The council is now set to explore the idea further and continue discussion at their next meeting.