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Market town no more?

Cockermouth has been a market town for 800 years. But a court ruling means that's now under threat.

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Council: markets could still go ahead

Allerdale Borough Council has responded to a High Court ruling, which will prevent them from closing Market Place, in Cockermouth, to traffic.

The ruling puts the future of markets, and events like Taste Cumbria, under threat.

"The Council is aware of concerns raised about the future of markets being held in Cockermouth’s Market Place and would like to clarify the situation. The Court ruling specifically related to the part of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) made by Cumbria County Council which sought to close Market Place to traffic for the monthly Saturday market. This Saturday market has taken place here without the road being closed in the past and this could be reinstated if the community wants it.

"This ruling will not impact on Market Place being the venue for other events - such as for the Taste Cumbria festival or the Georgian Fair - where separate road closures will be obtained.

"We understand that this ruling was made against one small part of a larger TRO for Cockermouth made by Cumbria County Council. Events held in other parts of the town will not be affected by this ruling."

– Allerdale Borough Council

“There is clearly strength of feeling in favour of the return of a market to Cockermouth’s Market Place.

We shall therefore work with partners in the town council, Cumbria County Council and the wider community, to gauge whether the market recently held in the United Reform Church should be moved back to Market Place.

If so, then we shall investigate what legal measures are required to make this happen.”

– Alan Smith, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council

Market town no more?

Market Place hosts plenty of popular events, like Taste Cumbria. Credit: ITV Border

Markets have been banned from Cockermouth's Market Place, after a High Court ruling.

It's understood the case was brought by a single local man, who questioned whether prohibiting traffic from the road on Saturday market days was legal.

That's come as a shock to people in the town, as it's had a Market Charter for around 800 years.

But Allerdale Borough Council says markets have been held without the road being closed in the past, and that the ruling shouldn't prevent other events, like the Taste Cumbria food festival, from taking place.

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