Darwen traders launch bid to welcome shoppers back after roadworks nightmare (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Darwen traders launch bid to welcome shoppers back after roadworks nightmare

5:40pm Thursday 4th October 2012 in News

TRADERS in Darwen have launched an initiative to welcome shoppers back into the town, after struggling for weeks with ‘a roadwork nightmare’.

For the past two months, a series of roadworks has brought heavy congestion to the main arteries in and out of the area, causing many businesses to suffer.

Now the roads are once again clear, market traders want to get out an ‘open for business’ message, and say thank you to those customers who have battled their way through the traffic.

On Monday, those shoppers who provide a bus pass or ticket at the market office on Monday can claim a free cup of tea.

Three Day Market representative Brenda Cronshaw said: “It’s a small thank you to show our gratitude.

“These people have been coming in, telling us that they’ve been sat for an hour and 20 minutes on the bus getting in from Blackburn, and they’re having to go through it all again to get home.

“This has been going on for seven or eight weeks, and still they have stuck with us loyally, and they deserve thanks.

“It’s been a terrible time, and some people have said that they’ll not come on the bus again. So we need to make sure that we keep people coming here and show that we are truly grateful for that.

“There has been a lot of publicity about all the bad traffic and the problems, so now it’s important that we get some positive news out there.”

Councillor Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Market traders are rightly always keen to thank customers for their loyalty and have devised this initiative themselves following the recent road works.”