By Sarah Newstead

Published at 14:51, Tuesday, 23 December 2008

TWO Wigton women are hoping to “kick-start culture” in the town by expanding the concert venue in their living room with a basement bistro.

Enterprising pair: Jil Barke and Ishka Sanderson-Dickson want to expand ‘home’ concert venue

Jil Barke and Ishka Sanderson-Dickson run popular concerts in the living room of their West Street home.

Since August, 2007, eight sell-out performances have attracted acoustic and folk singers and songwriters such as Kristina Olsen and Gordon Giltrap.

Jil and Ishka have now lodged an application with Allerdale Council to expand the business into their basement to create a bistro – called The Monkey Tree – serving modern European and British food on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Sound-proofing work is proposed along with the creation of a staircase at the front of their property to allow customer access.

The bistro will not serve alcohol but under the proposals customers will be able to bring their own.

Letters of support for the venture have already been lodged by local people.

Wigton businesswoman Hazel Duhy, of the Network of Enterprising Women in the Solway, said: “Their business will provide a much-needed alternative night out in Wigton.

“Wigton badly needs rejuvenating.

“There are many empty business properties and failed ventures already, and for a new, vibrant enterprise to open and be run by two such positive, responsible and enterprising women is a great benefit to the town.”

Kathryn Dixon, a staff nurse at Wigton Hospital, said of the pair: “Wigton needs more people like them to kick-start the culture lacking in the town.”

But there could be some objections to the plan warned Wigton’s mayor Brian Warren, whose home is close by.

He said: “I am concerned about the extraction and smells. Where is it all going to go? There are a number of issues we will need to look at such as the fact there will be no disabled access.”

Jil and Ishka are remaining tight-lipped about the plan until it makes its way through the planning process. “Watch this space,” said Jil.

But in the application the pair said: “We feel this is an exciting unique venture that will enrich and benefit the lives of Wigton’s community.”

The couple also run Monkey Tree catering from their kitchen, using ingredients from local producers.

A decision on the application is due in the new year and Wigton town council is to meet to discuss the plan in January.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk