URGENT action is needed before a South Lakes community becomes a "ghost town," it has been claimed.

Ulverston town councillors are determined to make sure their town not only thrives, but survives with several banks announcing plans to leave the town and the future of the main County Square post office in doubt.

Although the town continues to attract more visitors and tourists than ever thanks to events like Taste Ulverston and the massively popular Dickensian Christmas Festival, there is a growing sense of unease.

District councillor for the town ward, John Clough, told Ulverston Town Council that a solution would have to be found to "fill the gaps" emerging in the high street.

He said: "What we are looking at in the future is being a ghost town. I don't know what we've got to do here. We're going to have to look about how to fill those gaps."

Within the space of six months there have been several high-profile losses from the high street including HSBC, NatWest.

After HSBC departed from its place in New Market Street in November, NatWest in Queen Street became the latest casualty of cost cutting measures. The banking giant announced branches across the North West would be closed by October this year.

Read about the decision to close the town's HSBC

Town councillors agreed on Monday night that regional managers for the banks still in Ulverston should be written to, and asked to give assurances to the town on their continued presence in the area.

The letters are expected to be sent out at the beginning of next week.

Councillors were acutely aware of the issues that loom in the future for the town.

Cllr Colin Pickthall commented on the impact internet banking and shopping was having on traditional economies and said: "We've got to think at some time about when these places do close, what is left for the people. There must be some way forwards other than fiddling about with computers. It's going to be a big issue for us over the next few years."

As the New Year dawned the town was hit by another body blow after the Ulverston Post office in County Square was named as one threatened by closure.

Within days of Ulverston Post Office being threatened with closure, a petition was started to save it

A consultation process is now under way for local firms to come forwards, and present a plan to franchise the office.

Town councillors have been informed there could be light at the end of the tunnel yet, with several local companies interested.

In a letter to the council, Post Office Ltd confirmed the branch would stay in the centre of town but may not remain in the current building.

A report read to councillors stated: "One of the most important considerations for any new franchisee is security and access for all. It could take up to 18 months for the issue to be resolved – but it also be much sooner. In the meantime the post office in County Square will remain open."


Mayor of Ulverston, Councillor Mark Wilson said the council would work with residents to help shape what kind of future they would like to see.

The implementation of a neighbourhood plan could set a blueprint for the future development of the town, and try to find solutions to problems internally.

Cllr Wilson said: "We would seek the views of residents about how they would like to see the town develop in the future.

"We've got a working group (in the council) and there are opportunities for the townspeople to get involved. There could be some really great ideas out there."

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