Council crackdown finds problems at dozens of Whitehaven and Workington shops Operation Impact: council officers find issues at shops in Whitehaven and Workington

Council teams have been round 51 businesses in Whitehaven and Workington looking at signs, bins and food safety. Most issues were planning and waste, and they say they're coming to more towns.

If you've got a shop, cafe or any business in a town centre round here, have a read of this. Same if you've ever wondered who checks the signs, bins and food on the high street.

Cumberland Council's sent teams out under something called Operation Impact. It puts officers from Environmental Crime, Trading Standards, Licensing, Environmental Health and Planning together, walking round town centres at the same time.

In Whitehaven they called in at 23 businesses. They found 11 planning issues, nine waste problems and one food safety matter. Eight places had nowt wrong. Three things got sorted there and then and one more has been sorted since.

In Workington they went round 28 businesses. That turned up 11 planning issues and seven waste problems. Twelve were fine and four things got fixed on the spot. Two places were shut when they called, so they'll be going back.

They did 23 businesses on Botchergate in Carlisle too. The council says the sort of thing they're finding is signs and window coverings without permission, waste not being handled right and some food safety bits.

The council says it's firm but fair, so advice first and action if needed, and that more towns are on the list.

Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer said: "Our message is simple: if you are doing the right thing, you have nothing to worry about. If you are not, now is the time to put it right."

What you can do If you run a business, check your signs and window displays have the permission they need and that your bins are on a proper commercial waste contract. The council's website has help on planning, commercial waste and food hygiene.

They haven't named any businesses.

Cumberland Council officers visited 51 businesses in Whitehaven and Workington as part of Operation Impact, finding planning, waste and food safety issues. The council says more towns are next.

This is for people who run a shop, cafe or other business in a Cumberland town centre, and for anyone who wonders who checks signs, bins and food standards on the high street.

Cumberland Council has published the first results of Operation Impact, which brings together officers from Environmental Crime, Trading Standards, Licensing, Environmental Health and Planning to visit town centres together.

In Whitehaven, officers visited 23 businesses. They identified 11 planning-related issues, nine waste compliance issues and one food safety matter. Eight businesses had no issues. Three issues were resolved during the visits and one more has been resolved since.

In Workington, 28 businesses were visited. Officers found 11 planning-related issues and seven waste compliance issues. Twelve businesses had no issues and four matters were resolved at the time. Two premises were closed when officers called and will be revisited.

The operation also visited 23 businesses on Botchergate in Carlisle. The council says the issues found across the three places include unauthorised signs and window coverings, waste concerns and food safety matters.

The council says its approach is firm but fair, with advice first and enforcement where needed, and that more areas of Cumberland can expect visits.

Council leader Cllr Mark Fryer said: "Our message is simple: if you are doing the right thing, you have nothing to worry about. If you are not, now is the time to put it right."

What you can do If you run a business, check that your signs and window displays have any permission they need, and that you have a proper commercial waste arrangement. Cumberland Council's website has guidance on planning, commercial waste and food hygiene, and its officers can advise.

The council has not named any businesses.