[Margaret Pilkington]

Most people if they use the public transport system will alight at the market......what a sorry sight that is. There are some very threadbare looking stalls and very many empty ones.....in fact there are mor occupied stalls for the Sunday and Thursday Flea Markets. OK, today there was the addition of a continental market, but the stuff was over priced and not the kind of stuff that makes up the staple shopping list of many of the people who live in the area....and Gayle, if this sounds like carping, then I'm sorry. I just tell it as I see it.
The Commercial area of the town is sad and tired....and I don't know where PB gets forty new shops from...they certainly aren't in the centre of town.
He was crowing about the new shop 'Officers Club' but 'Icon' closed so we haven't gained anything in real terms....O yes, there has been the recent opening of an amusement arcade....I don't think that will bring in the tourists. Oh yes and the Piggy Banc on Blackburn Road....a childrens arcade...again not much there for celebration. Subway was about the best of the bunch so far. I see that a shoe shop has plans for opening on Broadway too....a budget shoe shop....well it IS Accrington...so we mustn't expect anything too upmarket...goodness we couldn't stand the excitement.
Now if Primark was to be enticed into town then maybe there would be an influx of business from other neighbouring towns.
There are just so many empty shops that it looks to outsiders like the town is dead on its feet.
PB likes to think he is doing a good job...and because no-one else is giving him a pat on the back he has to do that job himself.