AS an ex-Blackburn person I was amazed at the council's decision to shut Church Street (LET, January 26).

The reason I was in Blackburn that day was because Wigan, where I now live, has done all this with its town centre and now we have not got one proper furniture shop left.

As for a really good carpet shop, me and my neighbours had to go to Cherry Tree to find one.

Wigan is now a town of bucket shops because although people can see the town centre, they end up riding the ring road looking at it, but have not a clue how to get into it.

The main street, King Street, was like King William Street in Blackburn -- really good shops. Now there is not one shop, but at least 15 clubs or bars.

Also, go to St Helens, which has a beautiful new market hall, all pedestrianised. It's been open a year now and 30 stalls have never ever been taken.

It also has a beautiful new outdoor market that has been used approximately 10 times and not once in the last six months.

Also try Ormskirk. It used to run coaches of shoppers there. Now, the traders have packed in and you can fit the customers in a mini car.

When I walked round Blackburn, I was ashamed of King William Street -- Burtons was empty, Marks and Spencer looked so old and dated, a massive record shop across the road was empty and so wasthe market.

In fact: Blackburn -- the last one out, turn the lights off.

The councillors should hang their heads in shame.

RATCLIFFE (Mrs), Bickershaw Lane, Wigan.