Visitors to Cockermouth will be able to discover even more about what the town has to offer thanks to a new initiative by the town’s Chamber of Trade.
The organisation has taken over the ownership of a set of old map boards located around the town. They’ve refurbished them with bright colourful artwork, added a QR code which links to a new interactive online map and business listings, and taken on the running of the machines which allow people to purchase a hard copy map to help those who prefer a non-digital option.
The original boards were installed over a decade ago as a joint venture between the former Allerdale Borough Council and map provider Cityscape. However, the boards had become old and tatty with out of date information. Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade has entered into an agreement with Cityscape which has seen ownership of the boards transferred so that they are eye catching and useful once more.
The signs’ bright yellow theme ties in with Cockermouth’s historic links with William Wordsworth and his famed daffodil poem, as well as the town’s annual daffodil displays, and also the Chamber of Trade’s own branding. It also guarantees that the map signage cannot be missed as they’re visible from a distance.
The map signage initiative has been funded by the Chamber and local businesses. Cockermouth Travel, the Lakes Home Centre, Lakes Electrical Supplies, North Lakes Clinic, Wordsworth House & Garden and Shill’s of Cockermouth have all taken the opportunity to advertise on there. The signs are located on Lowther Went, Main Street, and the car parks at Memorial Gardens, Sainsburys, Bitterbeck and Riverside.
Joe Murray, co-chair of Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade and manager of The Children’s Society Shop, said: “The map boards are the latest in a host of Chamber initiatives to promote Cockermouth and they look absolutely brilliant.
“As well as providing a vital service for visitors, they’re an easy way of linking to the Cockermouth Online website which has a new experiences page, up-to-date event listings, and a growing list of local businesses. Add this to the Cockermouth Town magazine, which we’re now delivering to more than 9,000 properties, and the monthly e-newsletter which reaches 4,500 addresses, and we’re making sure everyone can find their way around town.
“Many thanks to Chamber volunteer Andrew Marshall for securing ownership of the boards, Penny Watson, of Penny Watson Photography, for the great new imagery and design, window cleaner Simon Hine for cleaning them up, Tony Willis of Clicking Local for the fabulous new interactive online map and website, and Suzanne Elsworth of Elsworth Communications for updating the text. Things are looking bright in Cockermouth, just in time for Summer.”
