The latest social media campaign bidding to show that Cumbria is open for business has been launched. 

Not Just Lakes is a Twitter movement launched this week by a group of five enthusiastic locals. 

Alex Charlton and Gary Redmond, known as @KeswickBootCo @StanPalmerHonda respectively, roped in fellow tweeters Paul McLoughlin @Glocky9, Rod Harrington @CumbriaWeather and Beth Pipe @CumbrianRambler, who between them have over 37,000 followers. 

Their aim is to reverse some of the damage done to local Cumbrian businesses by the recent storms and flooding. #They’re pouring their collective Twitter expertise into @NotJustLakes – an account created and managed to promote and support all local Cumbrian businesses. 

Any local businesses including #NotJustLakes in their tweets are guaranteed a retweet. 

The account already has over 1000 followers. 

In-Cumbria has documented how businesses in flooded towns have reported a huge drop in trade since the storms hit. 

There is a fear that this could hit tourism businesses badly in the coming months, causing further knock on effects for shops, cafes, and others reliant on tourist trade. 

Several campaigns have been launched on social media to raise money for flood victims, and show that Cumbria is open for business. 

Not Just Lakes founding member Beth Pipe said: “It’s been a real challenge for local businesses to get the good news out there – that the floods have gone, the businesses are waiting to welcome you, the fell tops are open and the roads are, with a few exceptions, passable - but by putting their combined talents to good use, this group plans to help small local businesses get that message out there and help to reverse the trend of cancellations. 

“There’s no money involved, political agenda to push or, perhaps most importantly, committee meetings to attend – the group are simply driven by a desire to use their expertise to do something positive for the county where they all live, work and play.” 

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