£1,000 for market day road closure : Cumbria County Council

Today, Cumbria County Council's Eden Local Committee gave a grant of £1,000 to help towards the funding of a Traffic Regulation Order to close the road on the days Orton Farmers Market takes place.

The success of Orton Farmers market has meant an increase in customers and a need to regulate the flow of traffic on market days in the interest of public safety. Eden Local Committee is committed to assisting the small business community and improving individuals' access to the jobs market. County Councillor Mary Warburton, Chair of Eden Local Committee, says,

"I am delighted to be able to make this award and to help this not-for-profit organisation promote this excellent economic initiative in a rural community. This project recently won the Community Contribution category of the Cumberland News Countryside Awards. It was also part of a `Made in Cumbria' submission which won the Producer Co-operative category. The Committee aims to create and safeguard local jobs. We encourage and support a wide range of projects with this aim in mind. Individual grants can be used innovatively by small businesses and not-for-profit organisations. Supporting local economic initiatives helps the regeneration of rural communities."

Jane Brook is Orton Farmer's Market Manager. She says,

"I am delighted to receive this funding from Eden Local Committee. The Farmer's Market began in May 2000 and despite a nine-month break due to Foot and Mouth Disease restrictions, it has gone from strength to strength. We currently have more than 30 local farmers and producers regularly trading at the monthly market and around 800 customers. At our Christmas market this rose to more than 2000 visitors. The market generates an estimated £110,000 per year for the local economy. It became apparent that as the market grew there was a need to ensure the comfort and safety of customers by closing the road on market days. The Traffic Order enabling the closure is expensive and I am pleased that Eden Local Committee has acknowledged the importance of local initiatives like Orton Farmer's Market by giving financial support.

The future of the market is bright. There is a waiting list of farmers and producers wishing to trade at Orton and customers return time after time to buy quality produce and enjoy the atmosphere."

Anyone who wants to know more about Orton Farmers Market can contact Jane Brook on (015396) 24899 (eves and weekends) or visit the Orton Farmer's Market website.