A MAJOR discount shoe chain is about to set up shop and give a much-needed shot in the arm for Burnley town centre.

Bacup-based Wynsors has earmarked the former Carpetright store in Adlington Street, off Church Street, for its latest branch.

Adlington Street / Church Street

The firm already has branches in Blackburn, Bacup, Rochdale and Halifax, as well as its headquarters in the Rossendale town's Park Road industrial estate.

Around 20 to 30 people are expected to be employed at the store, which is scheduled for later this year.

The move, which will follow refitting work by the shoe chain, has been welcomed by trade chiefs in the town.

Brian Hobbs, president of Burnley Chamber of Trade, said: “It is good news when we have got a big brand name like Wynsor’s coming to town.

“It is encouraging when someone like this has the confidence to set up shop in Burnley, and no doubt our name will now form part of their television advertising as well.

“We cannot control what happens nationally but this is good news locally.”

The announcement came as uncertainty still surrounds the future of another key Burnley trader, T J Hughes, in Curzon Street, where a ‘closing down sale’ is under way.

Administrators have already been called in at the ailing high street giant and dozens of local jobs are under threat.