A COUNCILLOR who is concerned about the number of cut-price stores in Burnley has branded the town ‘pound land’ land.

But another councillor has instisted that discount stores have always formed part of the fabric of Burnley’s shopping streets.

Cash Converters, Cash Generator, several pawn shops and now the 99p Store have set up shop in and around St James Street.

But Coun Frank Cant, while welcoming the arrival of the savings giant and fashion retailer Peacock’s, in the former Woolworth’s premises, has expressed alarm.

He said: “I am not being critical but there are quite a number of people who feel it is a shame that we have got a great big frontage taken up by the 99p Store in the pedestrian precinct.

“There was also another pound shop recently set up nearby.

“It does seem rather disappointing that we are moving towards becoming a ‘pound land’ land.”

Other discount retailers include Poundland, in Market Square, the Mega Pound Superstore, next to the Cross Keys in St James Street, and the pawnbrokers include Herbert Brown and Albemarle and Bond, in Howe Walk.

Coun Roger Frost, environment and planning cabinet member and Burnley historian, said the recent development were not a new departure.

He said: “I did a little research and it is not uncommon, over the last 150 years, that the majority of traders in Burnley sold goods at reduced prices.

“I was looking at a copy of the first edition of the Burnley Advertiser, in 1852, and it is full of adverts for stores like the two referred to.

“Ideally we would want better shops and I don’t object to that, but I think it is better to have something in there rather than empty shops.”