A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to revitalise Accrington's market area was needed to attract business to the town, a public inquiry heard

The inquiry, into the council's Accrington Market Redevelopment Peel Street Compulsory Purchase Order, opened yesterday and is expected to last until Friday.

It is proposed to demolish the existing covered market and part of the nearby bus station and erect a new market building constructed of steel and glass to the east of the Victorian market hall.

A canopied area for further market stalls will be provided at the rear of the market hall. This area will front on to a new small square leading to a new shopping street.

New shops will also front Broadway and a new street, Market Way, which will run from Broadway to Peel Street.

Eighteen small shop units will be located on the Peel Street frontage and inside the new market to replace existing market kiosks and Peel Street units.

Some of the market will go around the front of the bus station area and the bus station itself will be moved further up Peel Street.

It is hoped that two new large stores, including Littlewoods, will be attracted to the revamped shopping area.

Several objections to the compulsory purchase order for pieces of land have been received and the objectors will get their chance to speak at the inquiry. They are concerned about access to their premises when new service areas are created.

John Tilley, head of the strategic development department at Hyndburn Council, told Department of the Environment Inspector A.J. Bingham that the proposed development by the company, Arrowcroft, was necessary to attract multiple retailers to the town, design shop units so that they were attractive to national retailers, enliven declining areas of the town centre and generate sufficient returns to finance redevelopment of the outdoor covered market.

He said the outdoor covered market was one of Accrington's major attractions but was in poor quality premises and in decline.

Objections to the compulsory purchase order had been received from Atmore Investments, lessees of units at 2-16 Broadway, Greggs PLC, of Broadway, and Scope, of Broadway, relating to the development extending into Broadway.

Other objections had been received from Matalan Discount Club, Gibson Sports, Broadway News and Cards, Nationwide Building Society, Greggs and Atmore Investments, all Broadway, who are concerned about the loss of a service area at the rear of their units.

Added Mr Tilley:"My council is concerned that Accrington town centre is losing its attraction in comparison with other competitive centres. This is leading to the decline of the town centre both as a shopping centre and as Hyndburn's centre of civic and community facilities."

"The proposed development is designed to add to the attraction of the whole centre and to enliven Peel Street and Blackburn Road in particular."

(Proceeding)

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