RESIDENTS have formed a co-op scheme to open an ethical goods store and revamp an empty shop.

The announcement follows the Lancashire Telegraph’s survey of how more than 30 shops are standing empty in Accrington town centre.

Now one more will be occupied within days after 100 people clubbed together to create a not-for-profit business.

Proceeds from the new One Planet store, at 54 Abbey Street, will be ploughed back into the community and donated to charitable Hyndburn causes.

With help from Environmental charity Prospects, the company was set up by a dedicated group of 100 Hyndburn residents, who bought community shares worth £25 each, raising £15,000 to establish the group.

Products on sale will feature a mix of locally produced items as well as ethical and fairtrade goods.

As well as being a retail shop, the co-operative will also offer training workshops and information on environmental initiatives being carried out by the Prospects Foundation.

Voluntary director Ian Dixon said they hoped to attract more shoppers to the area by providing greater choice.

He said: “The goods on offer will give people more choice to shop in a way that is less damaging to the planet.

"It is also excellent that by purchasing shares, members have reopened a shop that has been standing empty.”

With the opening of One Planet, just one empty store remains in Abbey Street. The shop, which will open on Thursday, October 14, has also created two new part-time jobs.