Padiham town centre needs to trade on its strengths to survive (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Padiham town centre needs to trade on its strengths to survive

2:56pm Thursday 3rd January 2013 in News By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

EXTRA help is wanted to promote future prosperity and bring “badly- needed change” to Padiham town centre — in the wake of a supermarket giant’s recent arrival.

Town traders are being urged to support In Padiham, an initiative established after Tesco opened a new store off Wyre Street.

Under a planning agreement a new town centre manager, Tony Fitzgerald, was appointed and funding provided to improve the retail experience.

New arrivals have appeared such as East Lancs People First, a charity shop which moved into the former Santander premises in Burnley Road, and the beauty salon Gorgeous, further up the hill, between Party Glitz and Impressions Photography.

But both Santander and NatWest have pulled out of the town and there are issues with long-term vacancies such as a former fireplace showroom and bridal shop.

An In Padiham spokesman said: “We have significant resources and talents that, if properly organised, they can produce a powerful force for badly-needed change.”

Already a website — www.padiham.org — has been launched, offering an online directory of Padiham traders and services.

And a video team is touring the town to shoot publicity material for Padiham, including an interview with Mr Fitzgerald.

Further assistance, in the form of film editors, writers, photographers or web designers, is now being sought to take the scheme to the next level.

Supporters of the project also ran a 10 for £10 loyalty offer in December giving discounts to shoppers who used a variety of local outlets.

The town also received a grant of £10,000, from the Government’s Portas Pilot Towns initiative, to spend on similar promotional work.

Cash has also been given for similar work to help businesses in Standish Street in Burnley.

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