A TWO-DAY consultation has produced a huge number of ideas for Liskeard's bid to become a 'Portas Pilot'.

A 'pop up shop' in Fore Street enabled residents and businesspeople to share their ideas with bid team members. The town team, with the support of the town forum, is preparing a bid under the banner 'Love Liskeard' to claim a share of £1m put up by the Government following the review of the nation's high streets by Mary Portas.

The £1m will be shared by 12 towns with innovative ideas that will become Portas Pilots.

The team of volunteers was pleased with the level of interest and number of people going into the shop.

'We are trying to be as consultative as possible,' said team communications manager Allison Livingstone.

'Having the shop has been really good, in that people have been able to come in and talk to us. There's an overwhelming feeling of positivity and excitement. A lot of people from the local businesses have popped along to show their support.'

The Love Liskeard website, http://www.loveliskeard">www.loveliskeard.

wordpress.com, is also receiving a lot of hits – 332 on its busiest day so far.

Cornwall Councillor for Liskeard North Janet Powell was at the shop to give her backing to the team, and said: 'I am delighted to be involved on the town team, and particularly struck by the enthusiasm and the new people that are getting involved.'

Several themes have emerged from the discussions so far: the feeling that Liskeard could do with a bit of a 'spit and polish'; that more things are needed for young people to do; that people would like more flexibility in how they can shop in the town; and crucially, that people would like to build networks and work together. 

'It sounds corny but it's true,' said Allison, 'we are coming together because we love Liskeard and we think we could do really well in the challenge.

'When you ask people what they want and need in a town, they mention a post office, butcher, baker and so on. Liskeard has all this and more.

'Whether we win the bid or not, this is one part of a wider process to give Liskeard some TLC.'

The bid must be with Cornwall Council by March 25.