COUNCILLORS and business owners have warned that Accrington Town centre is 'dying' as another shop in is set to close.

Discount retailer B&M Bargains confirmation that its outlet in Union Street will shut later this summer has prompted veteran Tory councillor Peter Britcliffe and UKIP's Malcolm Pritchard to call for urgent council action.

The company has said that it will concentrate its operations on its new, larger store in Hyndburn Road which opened last year.

The news follows the closure of Marks and Spencer in Broadway last month and the announcement that both the HSBC and Yorkshire Banks will shut their branches in the town.

Former borough leader Cllr Britcliffe said: "Accrington town centre is dying and the council needs to urgently look at what to do to revive it before it is too late."

Cllr Pritchard, who represents the Milnshaw area of the town, said: "This is another nail in Accrington town centre's coffin.

"It is in the final stages of dying.

"Urgent action from Hyndburn council is needed."

Borough Tory leader and businessman Tony Dobson has said that needs to be a 'vision and strategy' for the town centre that's 'currently lacking' from the council.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones has said that there is no 'instant cure' for the town centre and agreed that a strategy is needed to 'build a town for the future'.

Former Hyndburn Tory candidate and owner of SPEX opticians Kevin Horkin, who has recently opened a branch on Union Street, said: "The loss of any shop, but especially a bargain basement store like B&M, is extremely worrying.

"The council should get behind the regeneration of the town.

"Within a very short space of time, we have lost two national chains, so it is extremely concerning."

An Arndale spokesman said: "The local authority are doing nothing to keep people in the town centre.

"They are not trying to keep anyone here, so everyone is moving out."

Council leader Miles Parkinson said: "Accrington town centre is going through a difficult period of change like many other town centres.

"We have a strategy which involves moving towards bespoke independent retail, leisure and more residential and commercial development.

"We have a Heritage Lottery Grant of £1.5 million towards a £10 million investment in Blackburn Road and the town centre and the square.

"It is going to take some years to bring this to fruition."

"B&M Bargains has taken over the larger store and I am sure their vacated store will be marketed."

A B&M spokeswoman confirmed that the store will be closing in the 'coming weeks' and that all staff members have been offered roles at other local stores.