AN Accrington trader has warned he will be ‘forced’ to close his charity shop if he cannot display items outside.

Joe McMurrough set up the Hyndburn Project shops three years ago and has opened six other stores across the borough.

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But Mr McMurrough has been told by the council he will no longer be allowed to show items outside his Blackburn Road store.

The 56-year-old has said that if he is forced to move his trade inside the units, he would have to close his five other stores and warehouse.

He said: “I’ve been here for three years and there’s never been any issues before. “I’ve always put things outside the shop, but they’ve now asked me to bring things like sofas and tables inside.

“If the council does that I would be forced to shut all of the other shops as these two units cover the running costs for the other shops in Oswaldtwistle, Accrington and Great Harwood.

“I have lost trade from the moving of the bus route and it s not going to help if the council force me to move things inside.

“The council are always saying they want to bring shops into the towns, but they could be losing six more if I don’t get the help I need.”

The Hyndburn Project currently has shops opposite the town hall, two in Clayton-le-Moors, one in Great Harwood, one in Oswaldtwistle, two in Dutton Street and a warehouse in Springhill.

The group gives away expensive household goods that would usually cost hundreds of pounds, such as washing machines, fridge freezers, and furniture.

Cllr Mohammed Ayub, who represents the Central ward, said: “Obviously if the Hyndburn Project goes that would sad news for the town.

“For me personally I don’t want any shops in the town to close, I think it reflects badly on the town.

Cllr Clare Cleary, cabinet member for Accrington Town Centre, said; “We’ve had numerous complaints about this issue from people concerned that items, including mattresses and furniture, are being put on the pavement outside the shop in the Town Centre conservation area.

“We’ve therefore tried to resolve it informally and approached Mr McMurrough to ask him to remove the items from the pavement, however, as the items are still appearing on the pavement outside the shop, we’ve referred the matter to Lancashire County Council, who manage the highways, for enforcement action.”