Tim uses Commons debate to demand funds to boost Lakes tourism businesses hit by floods

12.00.00am GMT Wed 9th Dec 2009

The Government should be investing in promoting tourism across Cumbria to show that the Lake District remains "open for business" in the wake of last months floods according to South Lakeland MP Tim Farron.

Businesses in Bowness, Windermere and Ambleside have been worst effected by the floods, but even communities that have not been flooded have seen a dramatic drop in visitor numbers in the last week with some individual businesses reporting a 70% drop in turnover in the past week.

Speaking last night in the House of Commons, Mr Farron called on the Government to invest in promoting the tourism industry in Cumbria to help ease the recovery of the local economy.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"Quite understandably, the message being put out in the wake of the floods was that Cumbria was closed for business and off limits.

"But now many businesses that weren't even flooded are suffering with many parts of the tourism industry seeing a drop in their income in the past two or three weeks of up to 70%.

"We need to be able to sell our communities and our tourism product, especially in the run-up to Christmas. The Government should be investing in the marketing and promotion of the Lake district and Cumbria brand over the next few weeks to let people know that we remain very much open for business."