A BREWERY co-founder said it was ‘quite humbling’ after winning a council by-election

Tim Bloomer, the Liberal Democrat candidate, has been elected in the Grange and Cartmel ward on Westmorland and Furness Council after winning the by-election.

Cllr Bloomer received 2,180 votes, which represented 84.8 per cent of the turnout, with Conservative Party candidate Tor McLaren receiving 392 votes.

Cllr Bloomer said: “It’s quite humbling to be honest. It was a strange day knocking on doors all day yesterday. There was a lot of support on the doorsteps but it is always difficult to get the vote out at by-elections, particularly in the autumn and winter months.

“Halfway through the day I was thinking this might be a bit tight so I was genuinely shocked when the results started coming in.”

Cllr Bloomer is the co-founder and director of Fell Brewing Ltd, which has a brewery in Flookburgh. The business also operates several bars and the Royal Oak pub in Cartmel.

The recently elected councillor told the local democracy service his main priorities included improving local services particularly public transport, assisting the area’s transition to a greener economy and helping younger people in particular to thrive in the locality.

The by-election took place after former councillor for Grange and Cartmel Sue Sanderson retired at the end of August for health reasons.

Council leader councillor Jonathan Brook previously said: “Sue has an amazing and fantastic track record, and her achievements are many, too many to mention, and I can only thank her for all her hard work and dedication to public service, the council and to all the communities and parish councils that she has represented, so ably, for so long.

“Sue is leaving on a high note, and we wish her well on her retirement.”

Cllr Bloomer also thanked the Grange and Cartmel community as well as the local Lib Dem team for the support he received in the campaign.

A total of 2,589 valid votes were cast in the Cartmel and Grange by-election, representing a turnout of 29.8 per cent.  A total of 17 votes were rejected.

The by-election took place on October 17.