By Margaret Crosby

Published at 11:11, Thursday, 26 April 2012

SHOPKEEPERS took up the brush and shovel to lend their support to Freshen-up Fridays, a new initiative aimed at sprucing up Whitehaven’s shopping area.

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And it will be followed up by Sing out Saturdays, when local singers and dancers will take to the streets once a month to entertain shoppers.

It’s all part of the Portas Pilot campaign in which Whitehaven hopes to be selected as one of the 12 towns in England to receive cash and advice from the government to improve its retail offer.

Around 400 towns have applied and decisions will be announced in May.

On Friday shop staff were out with wheelbarrows, litter pickers and other equipment, loaned by Copeland’s cleansing department.

The department’s Phil Thompson, who is lead operative with the Whitehaven street cleansing team, was also on hand to offer help.

Charles Maudling, a member of the Town Team driving the Portas bid forward, said: “It was great seeing people out sprucing up the street and their shop frontages.

“It makes such a difference and is important to the appearance of the town.

“It gives out a ‘we care’ message and we hope it will become a monthly routine.

“The Town Team is very grateful to Copeland Council for their support in loaning the equipment and taking away the rubbish.

“Next time we are hoping to bring in a cherry picker to clear out the weeds in roof guttering.’’

Anyone who wishes to become involved in street entertaining can contact Charles on 01946 690008.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk