County council called on to fund marketing campaign to help Ferry-hit businesses

A South Lakes councillor is calling on Cumbria County Council to fund a marketing campaign to help send the message that communities affected by the on-going suspension of the Windermere Ferry service are open for business.

Councillor James Airey, the Conservative group leader on Cumbria County Council, has written to the Labour and Liberal Democrat-led administration urging them to commit funding to a marketing campaign for Hawkshead, Coniston and other communities struggling with the loss of the council-run Ferry service at the height of this year’s visitor season.

Since the suspension of the service in May, local businesses have reported a 30-40 per cent drop in takings.

Councillor James Airey said: “We need to keep the pressure up on the county council to restore the Windermere Ferry service before this year’s tourist season is lost.

“In the meantime, we also need to get the message across loud and clear that communities affected by the suspension of the Ferry are open for business.

“The county council is responsible for the maintenance and reliability of the Ferry service and has an obligation to support our local economy. That is why I have written to the council asking them to fund a marketing campaign.”