By Gillian Ellison

Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

TRADERS can find out how to draw customers to their shop in a free window-dressing course.

It has been funded by Lakes College and Copeland Council and is designed to help boost regeneration.

It is being run from the new Whitehaven Business and Education Centre, based in the former Pottery, in Whitehaven’s Market Place.

Dianne Richardson, centre manager said it is one of a number of courses that are being offered to local businesses.

The all-day course will take place on July 30 and with only about 15 places it will be first come first served.

In other areas of the UK where the course has been run, traders said results were brilliant and that trade increased.

The window dressing course will cover what attracts customers to a shop window, planning a display, signs, lighting and other areas.

“This is a skill that had been dying out but people realised it was really needed and worked. Now it’s becoming more popular,” said Dianne.

The new business and education centre is being run by Lakes College which has pumped a great deal of money into the town centre base. Its main focus is to help businesses in the Whitehaven, Egremont, Cleator Moor, Frizington and St Bees areas.

“We are trying to get a really good set of courses that will give businesses the skills they will need to be successful,” said Dianne.

There will be training courses, short courses such as customer service and marketing, as well as information technology.

The reception is on the ground floor with a full IT suite and two classrooms upstairs.

The official launch, which will be attended by Copeland MP Jamie Reed, is on May 23.

For further information on the window dressing course or the centre itself on 01946 592476.