[Gordon Booth]

Accrington isn't a market town, it never was and you can't market it(??) as one. It's an old industrial town, sort it out and sell it as such.
For ideas look at Chorley. It doesn't even have the lovely old Market Hall that Accrington does but it has a thriving recently updated covered market open 5 days a week and the famous 'Flat Irons' open market one day a week. The council provided matching, cheerful gazebos for all the Flat Irons stalls so it looks organised and not like a run down group of allotments.
It has a modern, quite small Bus Station right on the edge of the shopping center.A good, high capacity parking area, which is cheap, right on the shopping area.
In summer it's full of planters, hanging baskets etc. and feels welcoming. At Christmas there's a good display of lights, decorations etc. and feels Christmassy.
There are no drunks and addicts hanging around and I'm sure Chorley must have them just like Accrington and any other towns. But they're not in the town center, at least not during the day.
There's a huge excellent Tesco nearby and a big Morrisons near the centre- they haven't killed it so no excuses, Accrington.
Come on Accrington, someone isn't trying. The council and the civil servants should be ashamed!