Footfall up on town's main route during revamp

Yahoo! News - Apr 28th, 2025

The town of Maryport in Cumbria has experienced a significant increase in pedestrian traffic, with footfall on Senhouse Street rising by 35% in March compared to the same period last year. This uptick, from 7,900 to 10,700, coincides with ongoing £12 million government-funded regeneration efforts aimed at revitalizing the area. Key projects include transforming Christ Church into a maritime museum, creating a new cafe on the promenade, and revamping shopfronts. Local business owners, like Michelle Mayman, have noted increased patronage from locals and tourists alike, attributing it to the enhanced appeal of Maryport's offerings.

The regeneration initiative also includes plans to convert the old Carleton cinema into an arts venue with additional funding from Sellafield, replace the Shiver Me Timbers play area with a new one featuring a splash park, and establish the Shipping Brow Gallery. Automatic sensors at the town hall have confirmed the rise in visitor numbers, a development that pleases Cumberland Council leader Mark Fryer. The positive trend is expected to bolster the local economy and attract more visitors as the summer season approaches, fostering a renewed sense of optimism in the community, as noted by local business owners like aquarium owner Mark Vollers.

Tourism Local Businesses Maryport Cumberland Council Regeneration Footfall Increase Sellafield Funding Shopfront Scheme

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and generally accurate overview of the regeneration efforts in Maryport, highlighting the positive impacts on footfall and local businesses. It effectively uses credible sources and direct quotes to support its claims, contributing to its reliability. However, the story could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including potential criticisms or challenges associated with the project. While the article is timely and of public interest, its impact is somewhat limited by the lack of controversy or critical analysis. Overall, the story is well-written and informative, but it could be enhanced by providing more detailed explanations and broader perspectives.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports that footfall on Senhouse Street increased by 35% in March compared to the previous year, as confirmed by the council's measurements using an automatic sensor. The article also accurately details the £12 million government-funded regeneration project in Maryport, including specific initiatives like transforming Christ Church into a maritime museum and revamping shopfronts. These claims align with available information from the Cumberland Council and related sources. However, the article could improve accuracy by providing more detailed information on the status and funding specifics of individual projects, such as the Shipping Brow Gallery.

Balance

The article presents a generally positive perspective on the regeneration efforts, highlighting increased footfall and positive business impacts. It includes quotes from local business owners and council members who express optimism about the changes. However, it lacks perspectives from potential critics or residents who might have concerns about the project or its impacts. Including a broader range of viewpoints would provide a more balanced view of the regeneration efforts.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey the main points. It logically presents the information, starting with the footfall increase and then detailing the regeneration projects and their expected impacts. The use of direct quotes adds clarity and human interest to the story. However, the article could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of certain projects, such as the Shipping Brow Gallery, to ensure readers fully understand the scope and impact of the regeneration efforts.

Source quality

The story cites credible sources, including Cumberland Council and local business owners, which adds to its reliability. The use of direct quotes from individuals involved in or affected by the regeneration efforts lends authenticity to the reporting. However, the article could enhance its source quality by including input from independent experts or analysts to provide additional context and analysis of the project's impacts.

Transparency

The article clearly explains the basis for its claims, such as the use of an automatic sensor to measure footfall. It also outlines the regeneration projects and funding sources. However, the story could improve transparency by detailing the methodology used for measuring footfall and providing more information on how the £12 million is allocated among various projects. Additionally, disclosing any potential conflicts of interest, such as funding from private entities like Sellafield, would enhance transparency.