Cumberland Council is encouraging residents and visitors to support local businesses in Cockermouth.
The council, alongside partners, has organised a two-day Taste Cumbria Christmas event in the town between Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December.
The event showcases local traders and is an opportunity for visitors to make a visit to local shops and eateries too.
This year’s festival will move to both sides of the town’s Cocker Bridge, which is currently closed to traffic, and use a big section of Market Place too.
There will be live music and street theatre, loads of stalls selling food, drink and gifts, fairground rides and children’s crafts. Even Father Christmas is coming to join the fun on the Saturday of the event.
Loads of other town organisations are getting involved in the festival too. Kirkgate Arts on Kirkgate is hosting an Etsy Made in Cumbria event and a fun family cooking session, the United Reformed Church on Main Street is home to Cockermouth Arts and Craft market, and the Methodist Church on Lorton Road has an exhibition of nativity cribs.
While the festival is clustered around Cocker Bridge, the rest of Main Street will remain open to traffic, and Station Street will run one-way as usual. The middle section of Market Place will be closed off while vehicle access will still be in place down Castlegate to Bitterbeck car park, and along St Helens Street and Kirkgate.
This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas is organised by Cumberland Council, sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Holmen Iggesund and Milburns Solicitors, and supported by Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade. For the full festival line-up, visit www.visitallerdale.co.uk/taste-cumbria-home
Although the Cocker Bridge remains closed to traffic, a covered walkway is in place which provides pedestrian access into the town.
Cumberland Council spokesperson said:
“On the build up to the festive period, we worked closely with event organisers and provided free parking in the majority of our Cockermouth car parks on Sunday 19 November, to coincide with the Christmas Lights-Switch On and also on Thursday 23 November for late night shopping.
“Our two-day Taste Cumbria Christmas event has been organised with partners and will showcase Cockermouth, its businesses and its attractions. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event.
“Please join in and when visiting Cockermouth, make a visit to shops, cafes and restaurants too.”
The Cocker bridge was closed to traffic following the partial collapse of the Old Courthouse building. Although the building is privately owned, the council used emergency powers to protect public safety.
A spokesperson added:
“Although the Old Courthouse is in private ownership, our officers have been working hard to look at how the bridge can be reopened. Although there are no confirmed timeframes for when the bridge reopens, we will do all we can to make this happen as soon as possible. In the meantime, visit Cockermouth and show your support to local businesses.”
Agencies - including Natural England, Historic England, the Environment Agency and Cumberland Council - are assessing options for the Old Courthouse site.
It is highly complex and a series of issues impact on the options available:
- The site is in private ownership.
- The site is land locked, access to allow any works to be undertaken is challenging.
- The building is Grade II listed and any further works is required to be minimal to protect the fabric of the historic building.
- The River Cocker, adjacent to the site discharges into the River Derwent which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
- The impact on waste flows and the protection of flood defences needs careful consideration.
- Any works need to minimise pollution from any debris.