Fury at ‘snub’ to Nelson trade group (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Fury at ‘snub’ to Nelson trade group

12:30pm Monday 19th November 2012 in News By Tyrone Marshall, Reporter

A ROW has broken out after a traders association in Nelson was refused a place on Pendle Council’s area committee for the town.

The Scotland Road Traders Association have been working to improve the fortunes of that area of the town.

They had asked for a place on the Nelson Committee after meeting councillors during a scrutiny review of the town centre.

Tory councillors recommended the group be co-opted on to the area committee, but Labour councillors rejected the idea, saying that a member from the town centre partnership was already on the committee, and they represented the whole of the town centre.

Coun Tommy Cooney, who backed a move to give the Scotland Road traders a seat round the table, said: “It’s clearly disappointing that Labour have denied the group this opportunity.

“They know better than anyone what Nelson needs to do to prosper.

“The Scotland Road Traders Association doesn’t think the Nelson Area Committee has always been there to help them.”

Labour councillor Mohammed Iqbal said that the Scotland Road area had received significant funding this year for improvements to the area.

He said: “This committee has allocated around £21,000 for Scotland Road enhancements this year and that was by working with the traders and council officers.

“What if a traders association for Leeds Road or Manchester Road then want to a seat on the committee? It would create a laughing stock.

“We have the town centre partnership here and they cover all of the town centre.”