BUSINESSES battling against a new supermarket for Ulverston have offered up their goods to raise cash in a bid to overturn the move.

Campaign group Keep Ulverston Special hopes to raise £5,000 to help pay its legal fees in a long-running fight opposing a new 20,000sq ft store in a conservation area.

In April last year, South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) granted planning permission to build a super-market on the old Hartleys site, in Brewery Street.

But a judicial review into the decision has been ordered, and will take place before a judge, in Manchester, on Sep- tember 30.

KUS had a fundraising tar-get of £11,000 when it launched its ‘David and Goliath’ campaign last year, but one last push is needed, say organisers.

Turning to crowdfunding website www.indiegogo.com and with the support of several local independent businesses contributing incentives, more than £1,000 has been raised since May 23.

“We chose indiegogo as it enables not only people to donate, but also local people to show their wide-ranging support by giving ‘donations in kind’ in the form of perks which they can use,” said KUS chairman Ceri Hutton.

“People are being brilliant. We can’t thank them enough.

“There have been some big donations which are fantas-tic, but many have been small - two quid here, five quid there.

“Anything you can spare helps climb this hill.

“We are fighting for the heart of our town, and against planning decisions which ignored their own Local Plan and evidence.”

Items available include a cycling jersey from the Fred Whitton Challenge, an oil painting of Stan Laurel, and a guided kayak tour of Con-iston Water.

A film featuring local people talking about their concerns has also been created.

Professor John Whitelegg, from Liverpool’s John Moor-e’s University, gave expert evidence to the planning committee last April.

In the video, he says: “In terms of vehicles per day, lorries, and the street geography of Ulverston, the development is absolutely appalling.

“It can still be stopped, it must be stopped, and its impact is devastating.”

For further information, visit www.indiegogo.com/ projects/save-ulverston-a-unique-lakeland-market-town-from-supermarket-developers.