PLANS for a new business resource centre in the heart of the Lake District are taking shape after a £250,000 pledge from the North West Development Agency.

The Lakes Market Town Initiative hopes to establish a business resource centre for young people and their fledgling businesses in Windermere.

The centre would employ up to nine staff and provide workspace, advice and assistance for around six small businesses from the Ambleside, Windermere and Bowness area. It would be aimed at businesses in the creative arts, retail and IT.

Acting project manager for the Lakes Market Town Initiative, Bill Smith, said once the grant was finalised the group hoped to have the centre up and running by April.

"The NWDA agreed in principal to fund this project we now have to go back with more details and jump through more hoops before it is finally approved," he explained.

"There is a lot of hard work ahead but I'm confident we can do it."

Mr Smith said part of the focus behind establishing such a centre was to address the brain drain and to keep young and dynamic people in the area.

"It's a really exciting but challenging opportunity," he said. "The idea came from the programme of research the Lakes Market Town Initiative carried out in the community three years ago.

"The loss of youth, aging population and need for business diversification were all issues that came out of it. We're hoping to encourage business diversification and youth with ideas to stay here and establish businesses."

Mr Smith has temporarily taken on the role of Lakes Market Town Initiative project manager following the resignation of former project manager Donna Lee last month.