WORRIED traders have joined forces to put pressure on a coach company to drop plans for trips to the Trafford Centre.

Blackburn businesses concerned about the impact of the massive shopping centre on the town were shocked to discover plans to run day trips to the Dumplington site.

The shopping centre tenants' association was upset when it discovered Blackburn with Darwen Council- owned Blackburn Transport was planning to run a service to the shopping centre.

And town centre manager Paul Isherwood contacted the coach company to pass on traders' concerns.

But in Burnley, where the local bus company was snapped up by national bus operator Stagecoach last year, traders' leaders hold out little hope of influencing that company to drop its its regular new services to Trafford.

The Blackburn move follows the formation of a partnership of north west towns dedicated to hitting back at the new shopping centre.

Paul Isherwood, of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The shopping centre traders association passed on their concerns to me about the coach service and I spoke to Blackburn Transport. "It seems illogical that we have spent so much money on Darwen and Blackburn town centre only to encourage people to go elsewhere.

"I spoke to Blackburn Transport and discussed the pros and cons of the situation and as far as I know the company has decided not to run the service. "

Blackburn Transport managing director Barry Ashton said: "Someone jumped the gun and sent out publicity about services to the Trafford centre but no decisions have been made as yet.

"We already run excursion to the Sheffield and Gateshead shopping centres but they are day-long trips.

"Trafford is probably too close for day excursions and we think it is more likely people will want to travel to the centre by car.

"We are a commercial company and have to make decisions on a commercial basis.

"But I think it is highly unlikely we will be running regular services to the Trafford centre in the future, I don't think the demand will be there."

Burnley Chamber of Trade secretary Rita Walsh said: "It is saddening in one respect, but competition is competition and if people want to go to the new centre, they should be able to do so.

"It is for us to meet the new competition by offering best quality, service and choice locally. And I am sure we are doing that."

Burnley town centre manager Carl Speight added: "Burnley is a fine centre and there are many new exciting commercial developments on the way.

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