IT'S hardly surprising that French market traders have given a resounding "Non!" to Blackburn with Darwen Council's plans to set up their Continental event in Church Street.

The thoroughfare was supposed to be a £2million icing on the cake for Blackburn town centre, featuring all manner of fancy street furniture and the posh Pavillions containing high-quality shops.

But the fact remains that at this moment in time, Church Street is little-used. The traders don't want to be stuck out on the edge of town with little passing trade.

Why is the revamped street failing to attract people? That's probably because the Pavillions have yet to open - and there are no real shops on the street to attract paying customers.

That's why Blackburn with Darwen Council has decided to allow the Continental market to pitch up in a busier area of town - prompting a row with permanent traders.

Town centre businessmen are surprised at the council's decision to allow the market to move from Church Street - especially when it is precisely the sort of event designed to rejuvenate Church Street.

It all serves to highlight the need for the promising Lord Square development to be completed as quickly as possible, so that Church Street does not become labelled an expensive white elephant.