New bazaar to open in Nelson

Suray Bazaar, which occupies the former department store and old Burton's building, is the latest piece in the puzzle for the regeneration of Nelson.

Work has been ongoing throughout 2015 to refurbish the L-shaped building and it is expected up to 30 stall-holders will be trading at the launch.

Council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, who has worked with the owners in advance of the opening, has hailed the arrival of the venture.

He said: "It is a significant boost that the bazaar is opening, this is a key site in the town centre.

"It is also clear proof that local people are prepared put their money into Nelson.

"The town centre may have had its problems but hopefully this will be a major success.

"Footfall on Fridays and Saturdays particularly has increased significantly and there have been a number of similar new openings.

"There are hardly any vacant shops on Scotland Road now."

The bazaar has entrances on both Scotland Road and Leeds Road and is opposite a similar outfit in the old Poundstretchers premises.

Cllr Eileen Ansar, who opened her own fashion store Paris in Scotland Road earlier this year, said the move was symbolic of Nelson's new direction.

She saids: "It is always nice to see new businesses opening up in the town centre and further promote our regeneration efforts.

"There has been a lot of investment in Nelson recently and we seem to be getting busier every week."

Several other clothing and textiles retailers have opened up along Scotland Road.

Speaking earlier this year one of the backers, Abib Hussain, said: "Over the last 15 years, Nelson has been a dead town.

"We'd like to see more businesses arriving and people from out of town shopping here. I believe we are on the right road."

Several years ago the borough council, as part of a major overhaul, took a gamble and decided to reopen parts of Scotland Road, Manchester Road and Leeds Road back up to traffic.