Brampton businesses have joined forces with Stagecoach to encourage Carlisle pensioners to enjoy a day out in the town next week.
They are holding a promotional day on Wednesday with prizes and vouchers for older people travelling to Brampton by bus.
Local businesses are offering discounts and offers including free tea and coffee, hampers and half-price meals.
They will be offered to any OAPs travelling on the 9.45am and 10.45am services from Carlisle on Wednesday who will be greeted by the town crier when they arrive.
The weekly market will be on outside the Moot Hall which includes stalls selling a selection of cheeses, fruit and veg, fresh fish, locally made bread and cakes.
The town boasts a number of antique and vintage shops too.
There will be tours of St Martin’s Church at 11.30am and 12.30pm with time for a wander round afterwards, and local historian David Moorat will be in the hall with a display of photos and available to answer questions about the town.
Sofie L’Eau, of All Things Tea, one of the businesses taking part in the event, said: “It’s a really lovely little town to spend a bit of time in, especially if you come on a Wednesday when the local market is on.
“It offers some really nice shopping opportunities with funky vintage and antiques shops, a soapery, charity shops, ecoshop, teashop, gift shops, etc. There is also culture to be had – Bonnie Prince Charlie’s House to name one.
“It’s never crazy busy, we are never overrun by tourists, which makes it always nice and relaxed to walk around, have a great coffee and some food in one of the coffee shops or pubs.”
Lesley Berry, of Berry’s Tearoom, added: “Brampton is incredibly friendly, with great facilities, some great furniture shops, great places to eat.
“We have a farmers market on a Saturday at the end of every month, and also a Wednesday market.”
Rob Jones, managing director of Stagecoach Cumbria, said: “We’re delighted to be working with businesses in Brampton. It is good to see people out and about and using the bus to enjoy some time here.
“Passenger numbers are growing and we hope initiatives like this will encourage more people to use their bus passes to enjoy the area and support local businesses.”
