LAKE speed limit protester Tony Kemp said that businesses in Bowness were already suffering ahead of the 10mph ban, and that there were eight shops available for let or sale in the village.

He said that one business owner had told him he had worked 65 consecutive days, and could not afford any help.

"It' s not uncommon to hear many businesses say that this year is even worse than last.

How long will these other businesses struggle along before they too give up?"

South Lakeland District Council economy and development manager Richard Greenwood said they had been working closely with the business community in Windermere and Bowness to form an action plan under the new Market Towns initiative.

"I think it's fair to say we have found a business community a little bit down at heel and a little bit depressed, and it's in part due to the concerns about the 10mph speed limit, and the downturn in trade they see coming in two years."

Mr Greenwood said shops had also been affected by foot-and-mouth last year, and poor summer weather, competition from UK cities and cheaper foreign holidays this year.

He said the Market Towns initiative was about trying to bring new life into communities through the appointment of a project officer, and sales and marketing initiatives.

The number of empty shops was more than SLDC would like to see in Bowness but was not unusual, he added.

Chairman of the Lakes Market Towns partnership Bill Smith said it was important for businesses to work together to ensure they appealed to changing markets.