A MAYOR has said a town is on the up despite a number of businesses being up for sale.

Councillor Angela Dixon, the mayor of Millom, said the atmosphere was ‘positive’ during a time when the owners of a number of the town’s most established businesses are looking to sell up.

Pub the Bear on the Square and Italian restaurant Da Vinci have both been up for sale for a long period of time.

Mrs Dixon said both Market Square businesses were successful and were only up for sale due to owners wanting to retire.

The Bear on the Square and the working men’s club has been listed for sale for £250,000.

It has been described by estate agents Peill and Co as’ a highly popular centrally located pub and meeting place which benefits from all year-round trade and a considerable reputation for repeat business with 60 covers’.

It added: “The Working club has been completely refurbished and provides a flexible and popular entertainment venue for various social occasions.

“The business has been in the ownership of the current proprietors for a number of years who are only selling due to retirement from the business.”

Da Vinci was put up for sale at the end of 2017.

Its owners said they were looking to move on from running the business.

They said it would not be closing down.

Cllr Dixon said she thought Millom was a town ‘planning for the future’.

It is due to boosted by up to £25 million as part of the Government’s Towns Fund.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison said the money could be used on a new swimming pool and Copeland mayor Mike Starkie suggested it would used for regeneration.

He said: “Town centre regeneration has been a key theme in Copeland’s strategy for the last four years. I am absolutely thrilled at the news and Millom and Cleator Moor are now going to benefit from the investment of millions of pounds.

Cllr Dixon said: “I think Millom’s definitely on the rise.

“Hopefully it will bring in more jobs and give us a boost. I’d like to see a call centre.

“The atmosphere in Millom is more positive now than it’s ever been. When we get this money I’m sure more businesses will be tempted to come here and if the Lake District boundary is widened to include Millom castle.”