The last twelve months have been incredibly difficult for small business including hospitality, retail and salons.

Business have been forced to close for months at a time and strict rules and regulations have been implemented on their reopening.

Unfortunately, some small businesses struggled to cope, and their owners have decided to sell up.

If you fancy taking on the challenge of a new business, then there are plenty of retail units and businesses on the market waiting for new owners.

Here are some shops currently up for rent in Cumbria.

Fisher Street, Carlisle

£1,000 pcm

Retail property in Fisher Street, Carlisle up for rent. Picture: Rightmove

Retail property in Fisher Street, Carlisle up for rent. Picture: Rightmove

The property in the city centre of Carlisle, benefits from an excelling tradition position opposite the Cumberland Building Society and Cranstons Butchers and has ground floor retail space as well as an office and toilet facilities to the back.

The property can be accessed directly from Fisher Street and has an "attractive" shared entrance with Your Move Estate Agents.

The shop has a sash effect bay window, open plan sales area, plaster painted walls and ceilings, a mix of suspended spot-lighting and strip florescent lighting as well as carpeted flooring.

It is being marketed by Edwin Thompson who can be contact on 01228 738084.

Murray Road, Workington

£1,667 pcm

Retail property for rent in Murray Road, Workington. Picture: Rightmove.

Retail property for rent in Murray Road, Workington. Picture: Rightmove.

The retail property that is currently up for rent is situated in Workington town centre, and provides a ground flood mid-terrace retail shop.

It has direct access and retail frontage onto Murray Road. The shop front has an aluminium frame with a roller shutter externally.

On the ground floor there is front sales and rear store/work room with rear stairs leading to the first floor and open plan store/work room as well as a small kitchen area.

There is also a single toilet.

It is being marketed by Edwin Thompson who can be contact on 01228 738084.

King Street, Whitehaven

£833 pcm

Whitehaven retail property for rent. Picture: Rightmove

Whitehaven retail property for rent. Picture: Rightmove

Your first three months of rent will be free.

This prime retail premises formally a restaurant/takeaway in the centre of Whitehaven is the ideal investment with great football.

This property has A3 consent, for the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises covering restaurants, snacks bars and cafe.

The property compromises of a mid-terraced shop which currently trades from the ground floor, but with potential to create access and develop upper floors, which has been unused for many years - subject to planning.

It is being marketed by Grisdales Estates Agents who can be contacted on 01946 445007.

Elephant Yard, Kendal

£5,417 pcm

Elephant Yard, Kendal retail property for rent. Picture: Rightmove

Elephant Yard, Kendal retail property for rent. Picture: Rightmove

Unit 2 is described as a modern purpose built corner retail unit providing accommodation over two floors. The ground floor comprises of an open plan sales area with an attractive glass/wood display front.

An internal staircase leads to the first floor which provides a large stockroom, office, and a staff kitchen area.

There is a remote storage area and toilet facility on the first floor.

The accommodation benefits from burglar and fire alarm systems, stock theft prevention system, audio speaker system and an intercom for deliveries.

This includes CCTV, external music and advertisement and a versatile goods yard.

The property is being marketed by Edwin Thompson who can be contracted on 01768 200025.

Scott Street, Barrow

£550 pcm

Scott Street, Barrow, retail property for rent. Picture: Rightmove

Scott Street, Barrow, retail property for rent. Picture: Rightmove

The property comprises a mid-terraced two storey building of brick construction rendered with a pitched tile roof.

The premises has an attractive shop frontage with a wood panel surround and original timber front door entrance from Scott Street.

Internally, the accommodation is arranged with an open plan shop floor, rear fitting rooms and at first floor there is ancillary sales, storage, kitchen area and a toilet. The shop premises have a mixture of carpet and laminate floors and the walls and ceilings are plaster painted in the main with some original decorative cornicing.

It is being marketed being by Edwin Thomspon who can be contacted on 01539 304008.