MARKET traders are being asked to give up their stalls to make way for a one-stop shop dealing with council services.

Negotiations are taking place between Blackburn with Darwen Council and the five businesses operating in the Darwen Market Arcade.

The plan is to extend the Town Hall complex and move staff from the Union Street social services offices. The future of the building would then be considered separately.

A council spokeswoman said: "The Arcade has been under-occupied for a number of years.

"We are currently in negotiations with the traders in the market arcade to move them to other more suitable stalls within the Darwen Markets complex.

"The proposals, which would obviously be subject to the necessary planning permission being obtained, would give a central point of contact for members of the public.

"We are only in the planning stages at this time and we will be consulting and involving staff and members of the public throughout the process."

Funding for any work will be made through money secured by the council to pay for the local government reorganisation process."

Nigel Rostron of Rostron's Security Services, which is one of the affected stall-holders has already decided to re-locate his business to Duckworth Street.

He said: "I haven't got a problem with the proposals. Talks are still in the early stages but I expect to be moving towards the end of January."

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