A MARKET designed to bring people back into the town has been hailed as a “roaring success.”

A continental market was held on Whitehaven Harbour this past weekend with visitors and locals alike flocking to sample the delights of the market.

Councillor Graham Roberts and mayor of Whitehaven Chris Hayes volunteered to pick up litter but were pleasantly surprised to see that attendees were respecting the area.

Councillor Roberts said: “The visitors were wonderful there was hardly anything to do.

“Everyone was so well behaved from my point of view it was a joy to see it.”

The market ran from June 24 until June 27 on the Millennium Promenade. Meanwhile, a Cumbrian Traders Market was held on June 25 in St Nicholas’ Gardens.

Gerard Richardson, who organised the event with the Whitehaven Harbour team and Whitehaven Town Council said that it gave him hope for the town’s future.

“It was a lovely turn out. When we set up on Wednesday, there was people milling around, but on the Sunday it was packed.

“There was hundreds of people there on Sunday. It was hundreds of people safely” said Gerard.

“I volunteer with the council, I’m co-opted on to the town council events and marketing team and the whole point of these events is to bring people back into the town centre.”

Whitehaven’s economy has faced challenges of late which were exacerbated by lockdown.

But Gerard’s previously held concerns about empty shops on the high street have been tempered somewhat by the success of these events.

“It was absolutely lovely, it was one of those occasions where you could put the past 12 months behind you. We’ll be bringing them back next year.”

Cumbrian Traders Day has also been a success recently, Gerard said that the events in St Nicholas’ Gardens will be held on the last Friday of each month throughout the Summer.

He added that the next step for Whitehaven is to reduce the number of empty shops by supporting the businesses in the town.

“How many towns have got a green grocers these days? We’ve got a hell of a lot to shout about.”

Copeland dignitaries attended including the mayor, Whitehaven Town Councillors and Copeland MP Trudy Harrison.

Mrs Harrison, Marlene Jewell from the town council and Simone Morgan the Marina Manager judged a best dressed boat competition as part of the event.