As Covid pandemic restrictions are set to ease completely at the end of the month small businesses are looking to step up their game.

Lots of companies have felt the harsh brunt of the pandemic and have struggled over the past couple of years. But they are now taking a positive slant and are hoping to increase footfall in our town centres.

Gerard Richardson, of Richardson's Wine and Coffee Merchants, is working in conjunction with Whitehaven Town Council to host an array of events in the coming months.

Mr Richardson said: "Our big plan at the moment is the Jubilee attractions with a continental market and a photo exhibition. There is also hopes that we will be able to do some street theatre performances. At the end of May we will be hosting another Cumbrian Traders Market which should attract people into the town during the summer months.

"We try to host a science show for children later in the year and our idea this time is 'Edible Insects', we're currently in the process of contacting primary schools to see if they would like to get involved. This will be accompanied by an Antiques Fair which will all take place in St Nicholas' Gardens.

Gerard's primary business is his wine and coffee merchants store on Lowther Street, which has become a figurehead of Whitehaven's modern history. He is also concerned with developing the town as a whole and does so alongside the town council.

The group have big plans for this year and it is hoped that the events planned for the summer months will give the town a much needed boost as we move onward from Covid.

Gerard explains that Whitehaven has been limited in the past as many of the buildings on the high street hav a lack of space, which meant that many commercial businesses didn't want to set up in the town.

However, Gerard explains that we are now seeing an ascension of smaller businesses who can cope well with the smaller spaces. Which gives them prime opportunity to open and grow in the coming months and years.