AN INDEPENDENT shop owner has called on people to shop local.

Barbara Cairns, the owner of The Eco Shop on Scott Street, Barrow, which opened its doors in October last year, said she was struggling to stay open due to lack of footfall.

"There is an awful lot of other shops struggling but on Scott Street, there is only one building up for rent,” she said.

"Every building has someone in it - it's a street full of shops.

"People sit there and say there is nothing in Barrow but there are plenty of tiny little independent shops.

"People are thinking more of the branded name shops that have shut and the reason is they've stopped going to town because they only hear about the big names shops closing and not the fantastic independent shops."

She said the lack of footfall was due to people still being scared to leave their houses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She opened the store after moving from Barrow Market.

She said: "Shopping online has been another reason due to lack of footfall. I know a lot of people were encouraged through Covid to shop online but people need to get out of that habit and walk out their front door.

“It’s not solely me who is struggling. I know businesses who left the market the same way as me and are also struggling with the lack of footfall, and people are scared to get out of the house.

“Barrow has a lot to offer even without the big retailers.

“I’m lucky that my landlady has been supportive and has given me a rent-free month to help me and see how I go.

“Now it’s just a waiting game to see how well my business does and if people come through the door, the more likely we will stay open.”