‘POOR decisions’ by politicians in Accrington will take years to reverse, Hyndburn’s MP claimed.

Graham Jones spoke out after retail giant Marks & Spencer announced it was to quit the town’s struggling high street after 53 years.

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The move, which will see 28 jobs transferred to nearby Rawtenstall or other M&S stores in the region has been described as a significant blow by local leaders, including Mr Jones.

He said: “A lot of poor decisions have been taken over many decades, including the decision to pull down the much loved and popular concrete market and move the bus station.

“Building the Arndale [Centre] was a mistake too; removing the fantastic Broadway car park — and the Black Bull Hotel for all its faults — and the removal of the town centre cinema.

“With M&S going it’s as if there is little left.”

Mr Jones continued: “The market pavilions have undermined the bus station and the decision to move it was a mistake, in my honest opinion.

“In fact, I have a sense of unhappiness with all the changes that have been made.

“Too many poor decisions will take years to reverse.

“This has all happened at a time when shopping habits have changed dramatically. First with out of town retail complexes and more recently with the rise of internet shopping.”

Residents and traders of Accrington have voiced their disappointment at the news M&S is to close its store in Broadway in the spring.

Local man Mark Taylor said: “My once beautiful market town, where I was born, is now a devastated, depleted, run-down, useless excuse for a town and I will be looking to move.

"Hebden Bridge and Skipton do extremely well as traditional market towns because they kept their towns original whilst attracting the top named shops. It’s not rocket science.

“I know many Accrington-born people, including myself, that travel to Hebden Bridge and Skipton regularly to shop and experience a nice market town that we no longer have.

“Accrington used to attract shoppers from all over Lancashire.”

And Lee Aspin said: “It’s the town I grew up in and am very proud of, but it is sad to see the demise of a once great town.

“It needs reinvestment fast and people making decisions with a common sense attitude and shops that are unique and quirky.”