A community recovery partnership has been created following the devastating fire in Kirkby Lonsdale on Sunday.
Its aim is to share information for residents and businesses and includes representatives from the town council, Westmorland and Furness Council, chamber of trade, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Interest Company, local churches, NHS Primary Care, Kirkby Lonsdale Community Cupboard CIO and local voluntary groups.
Councillor Paul Cassell, chair of Kirkby Lonsdale Town Council and a member of the Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership, said: “At times like this there is often lots of speculation and rumour and this has been raised as a concern by people attending the public meetings, who have said it would be helpful to have a source of reliable information about community matters alongside the regular updates from Westmorland and Furness Council on the recovery work.
“The Community Recovery Partnership is meeting daily to get up-to-date information and address community questions and issues of concern, and we will be posting regular updates on social media.
Kirkby Lonsdale market will be held as usual tomorrow, Thursday December 12, and the partnership said it was encouraging people to support it and open businesses in the town.
The cordon area on Main Street has now been moved back to allow more business owners and residents to access their premises. The cordon now runs from Avanti to Lunesdale Home and Gardens on the opposite side of the street.
People are asked not to go beyond the cordon area as there are still a number of structurally unsafe buildings and heavy machinery operating in the area.
A community support centre has been established at St Mary’s Church. It is manned by local volunteers from 9am to 5pm daily with support from Westmorland and Furness Council officers. Anyone unable to visit in person can call 015242 36404.
Shop Small is offering Kirkby Lonsdale businesses impacted by the fire and Christmas Market stall holders affected by the cancellation of the event an opportunity to trade at a Late Night Shop Small event at Junction 36 Auction Mart at Crooklands next Wednesday, December 18, from 6pm to 8pm.
Affected businesses can attend for free. Entry is also free for anyone wanting to go along and it would be wonderful if people could support these local businesses at this most difficult time
A Go Fund Me page has been set up by Lunesdale Hall (Institute) charitable trust working with Kirkby Lonsdale Community Recovery Partnership and Cumbria Community Foundation.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so at https://gofund.me/3425db8f
