A Cumbrian town centre is on the brink of being filled, 10 years after the first shops burst on the scene as part of the £70 million redevelopment.

Although shops have come and gone in Workington over the years, there are just two empty units left in the town centre following the arrival of DW Sports yesterday.

In October 2005 shoppers began to give themselves retail therapy when Clark's became the first store to throw open its doors.

The shoe shop was joined by the likes of Deichmann, HMV, Thornton's, Clinton Cards and Claire's Accessories in the weeks that followed.

Mark Fryer, deputy leader of Allerdale council, was instrumental in bringing about change and explains why Workington needed refreshing.

He says: "It was a number of things. The larger retailers and bigger outlets were saying footfall was dropping and it was the intelligence of the retail trade that we needed to do something different.

"We work hard with the owners. When HMV went we were talking to the owners at the time and it was one of the best performing ones and we were surprised.

The Entertainer and Muffin Break have all arrived during the town centre's latest boom and HMV made a well-received return last week.

There are also ongoing negotiations to bring a new business into the former Granite shop next to Costa and the former site of Katie's Kitchen on Jane Street.

And although the array of new stores is the modern image of Workington, Coun Fryer still has nostalgic memories of the old days.

He adds: "I can remember places like the old arcade, Rumbelows and the big Co-op.

"We have sucked in all the local trade from Cockermouth and Whitehaven and what people aren't doing as much is going to Carlisle and Newcastle because of what's on offer here.

"The Hub has become a hub with Costa and Muffin Break and it's becoming a sort of city culture with people sitting outside for a coffee and cake and there's a real buzz about the place."

Dave Fletcher, Washington Square development manager, is the man who negotiates deals with businesses and has attracted big names over the years.

He says: "It's a great commercial centre. It's been promoted and been correctly put out there. It's the hub of West Cumbria retail so in reality it's the place to go which is what we have been trying to do for the last few years.

Mr Fletcher believes the new arrivals have come at an ideal time as it will stop Christmas shoppers from going elsewhere.

He also says that a total of new 50 new jobs will have been created once the remaining units have been filled to go with recent additions.

He adds: ""If you don't use your town centres you lose them. Why go to Carlisle if you can get everything you want in the town centre? It makes sense."