THIS is an open letter to MP Trudy Harrison, whose Copeland constituency includes Keswick.

I am writing to express my concern over the current debate about Keswick Market and the proposals afoot to reduce, relocate or even close it due to social distancing issues.

I am a regular user of Keswick Market (most weeks) and am a resident nearby.

As you are no doubt aware the market is an integral part of Keswick’s commercial economy, and the twice-weekly market contributes significantly to trade throughout the whole area.

Moving a market to a “car park” location is more often than not the precursor to a market’s final demise as traders do less business due to lower footfall and decide to go elsewhere or close down altogether. This option also reduces much-needed car parking on the two busiest days!

Reducing the number of stalls/pitches will have a similar detrimental effect on the traders and the other local businesses such as cafes and shops that rely on the market days to enhance their weekly trading through the extra people attracted to the town on Thursdays and Saturdays. Without that “extra”, many will struggle to survive.

The market is the beating heart of Keswick and its commercial vitality – without it pumping the people and consumers through and around the town (and thus in and out of all the other businesses) Keswick would soon become a shadow of its former self. You only have to look at other towns such as Penrith and Appleby, where once-thriving markets existed and now no longer do, to see all the empty shops and the dereliction that soon follows such a loss.

The call/argument to reduce or relocate Keswick market is flawed not only for the reasons above as it would irrevocably damage Keswick as a town but also as that there are five other days a week that have far fewer people in the town plus far more space due to the lack of stalls for those that are more concerned with social distancing issues to use the town’s commercial offer.

Maybe if anything can be done to help it would be signage saying “Busy area, please wear a face covering”?

As the MP for the area I feel you should be fully supporting the traders, the market and the town as whole and helping it to get through this difficult time rather than looking at proposals that would undoubtedly do it untold damage.

IAN OUTRAM

Kings Meaburn