By Alan Irving

Published at 11:09, Thursday, 28 June 2012

CLEATOR Moor has staked its claim for Mary Portas status in good time for today’s deadline for submissions.

The Town Team has put together a regeneration bid which it hopes will be successful in the second round of applications.

Spokesman Dave Farrell, who represents the Chamber of Trade, said yesterday: “We feel we have done our best in meeting the requirements of the bid and putting together our vision for Cleator Moor’s future. Irrespective of whether or not we are among the winners we feel we have created scope to move forward in the future.

“It’s thanks to everybody who has got involved and done their bit to revive interest in our town.”

The Town Team’s vision statement is to “transform an area known as The Square and High Street into a vibrant and attractive space which will become the heart of our community where retailers, shop owners and residents will want to spend time”.

One of the aims is to build on the success of the Phoenix Enterprise Centre by trying to bring empty properties back into use to encourage new start-up businesses.

The 12 towns seen to be the best deserving of Mary Portas status will each receive around £100,000 to help spur regeneration.

Whitehaven will also compete in the second round of applications having failed first time round.

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