[Gordon Booth]

I can't understand why Chorley, a slightly smaller town which also lost all it's industry, can still be a thriving town while Accrington slowly disappears down the plug hole!

Chorley doesn't have a market hall but it does have a thriving covered market full of good stalls and busy. The Flat Irons open market on Tuesdays is always busy.
The bus station is newish but only small, maybe room for 10 buses, but it's on the edge of a small shopping arcade(also fairly new) where most of the shops are occupied.
Parking fees are cheap with plenty available(except on Flat Irons day).
There's no M&S, Booths in the centre(busy), Morrisons on the edge and Tesco a mile or two out.
Full of floral displays in summer, full of lights at Xmas.
And they didn't destroy the older town buildings and put up concrete, ugly rubbish as Accrington did!

It's a thriving little town.

If Chorley can do it, Accrington should be able to.

You've got to blame the various councils that have presided over the decline of a once busy town full of heart. No vision, no planning, no heart!