PEOPLE from across Cumbria are being invited to participate in a brand new initiative for the county that takes a look at some the best activities it has to offer.

Cumbria Residents’ Week, taking place from Saturday, October 2 to October 10 will involve residents paying a visit to a participating businesses in the scheme and making a qualifying purchase of £10 or more to be entered into a prize draw.

More than 75 businesses are signed up, including Whinlatter Forest, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Tullie House Museum in Carlisle, Ullswater Steamers, and Barrow’s Urban Extreme Indoor Skate Park.

Allerdale Borough Council’s executive member for leisure and tourism, Cllr Tony Markley, said: “Residents’ Week promises to be a great initiative which I’m sure will give Cumbria’s visitor economy a welcome boost now the traditional tourist season is winding down.

“Everyone who lives in Cumbria will know how amazing our county is so I’d urge everyone to support their local attractions as much as possible and to use this as an opportunity to explore others you may not have already been to.

“Tourism is so important for this part of the world but we, as locals, can also play our part in supporting the visitor economy.”

The initiative has been put together through a partnership of Cumbria’s six district councils with the support of Cumbria Tourism and Keswick Tourism Association.

It is hoped that the scheme will help to support the business community to bounce back from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic by encouraging Cumbria’s residents to sample the attractions, venues, eateries, hotels, shops and more on their doorstep.

Mayor of Copeland, Mike Starkie said: “Cumbria Residents’ Week is a great chance for people who live here to maybe try something new and explore somewhere different in the county.

“The businesses who have signed up are an integral part of our county’s economy and to help them bounce back after a truly awful year with Covid we all need to do what we can to support them.”

The prizes on offer, which are being donated by the businesses taking part, include two-night stays, meal vouchers, gift vouchers, food hampers, bottles of champagne, memberships, free cocktails, film tickets and more.

If the week-long event is a success, it is hoped Residents’ Week will become part of the annual calendar in Cumbria.

Any business that wants to participate should complete the form on https://cumbriaresidentsweek.co.uk/ by September 30.

Any queries about the initiative can be sent to tourism@allerdale.gov.uk.