A SIXTY-bed hotel, restaurant and revamped market unveiled as part of an £8million redevelopment scheme has been hailed as a ‘vital and wonderful addition’ to East Lancashire.

The plans to transform Clitheroe’s 900-year-old market features a restaurant, seven shops, a 67-space car park and a full revamp of the market with a hall and room for 50 units, 28 cabins and 22 stalls.

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Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has praised the plans for the 1.4 acre site and said it will bring extra jobs to the borough.

He said: “I think its an absolutely superb idea.

“The £8million pound investment along with the redevelopments of a former mill is super news.

“It is important to protect the market and ensure many people who come to the shops and restaurants will be able to dive into a fantastic part of Clitheroe.

“It’s a shot in the arm for the traders as well as it’s going to bring so many more people to the town.

“It will have a great effect for all the shops as the extra people coming in will want to visit and explore what Clitheroe has to offer.

“Ribble Valley Council has done a great job with this.”

Detailed plans for the scheme will be unveiled in the New Year. Subject to planning approval phase one involving the construction of the new market is scheduled to be completed by February 2017. Phase two involving the remainder of the site by April 2018.

Cllr Hirst said the redevelopment would be a major factor in increasing what the town has to offer and help it stay on the map.

He said: “This development will offer a serious, economic boost to the Ribble Valley.

“It can only better Clitheroe and bring jobs, like the Tour of Britain.

“That was an incredible event which brought millions of pounds to the borough and we want this to be successful too.

“A development like this would be something our neighbours would give anything for and we need to see this development as a strong link between the private and public sector.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bring modern retail and leisure facilities to the town centre and we are delighted to welcome Barnfield Construction, which has a strong track record in schemes of this nature, as our development partner.”

Barnfield Construction, which has worked on East Lancashire projects including the Globe Centre, Accrington: the Ace Centre, Nelson; Boundary Mill, Colne; Stanley House, Mellor; and Blackfriars, Manchester.

Traders yesterday said the market should be the primary focus of the scheme.

Gordon Jackson, 74, from Longridge, has owned a toy stall on the market for seven years.

He said: “We don’t know how big it’s going to be or how much of an affect it’s going to have on us. It’s a concerning time for us traders.

“There are many traders who have been here for years and fear they could be swept aside if the market falls away from the big retail development.”

However Cllr Hirst promised the market would not be forgotten as was a crucial part of the development.

He said: “I can assure traders that the market will not be forgotten.

“The revamped market is one of the crucial areas of the scheme.

“It doesn’t say anywhere in planning that the market will be removed and why would it, it’s one of the jewels in the town.”

Tim Webber, managing director and chairman of Barnfield Construction, said: “Given the redevelopment site is in the heart of the town, we will carry out the scheme sympathetically in order to respect the surrounding buildings and will do this as the scheme develops.”

The scheme will be the subject of a rolling exhibition at the council offices in Church Walk, Clitheroe, from early 2016 until completion.