A group representing the interests of businesses in Wigton will continue - despite fears that it could've folded due to a lack of numbers.

New life has been breathed into the Wigton Chamber of Trade, with some extra people appearing at its annual general meeting.

Richard Mattinson, the group's chairman, told The Cumberland News that a shortage of members and lack of input meant the organisation struggled to fulfill the role it was set up to do.

"There was a couple of new faces at the meeting and it appears at this stage they want to get involved," he said.

"It was agreed that we should carry on and encourage other businesses in the town to take some interest in issues affecting Wigton and we will carry on lobbying for them.

"We ask that all local businesses take the time and add their voice to the issues that are affecting the town centre."

The chamber of trade has no official remit but acts as a united voice for businesses based in and around the Wigton area.

"But if we don't have any voice from the businesses in the town then we don't have any say at all," Mr Mattinson, who runs Stitch and Print in High Street, added.

"Wigton's high street is facing some problems at the moment, just like any other high street in the UK.

"Things like changing business rates have helped but we need to improve footfall.

"That's the big issue."

The business group has also requested an urgent meeting with the new town centre manager for Wigton and other surrounding towns, appointed by Allerdale Council.

Late last year the chamber asked for feedback on a number of business-boosting ideas.

Among the suggestions mooted by the group are creating late-night shopping and introducing a new bus service to bring people from surrounding villages into the town.

Wigton's business community is also waiting to find out the future of the former Hopes Auction site in the town centre.

The company moved from its base in High Street to a new purpose-built headquarters in Syke Road about three years ago.

Supermarket giant Tesco was poised to build a new store there but they performed a U-turn in 2014 following a company-wide review.

Since then what the future holds for the site has been the focus of much debate in the town, with councillors and business owners previously saying what happened on former auction mart land was critical for Wigton.

In August The Cumberland News revealed that Hopes was in talks with another supermarket chain about the site.

Business owners will also be hoping to capitalise on the raft of houses mooted for Wigton in the coming years.

Hundreds of houses are on the cards for the town, with developers like Story and Persimmon submitting planning applications for estates.