[Guinness]

Totally agree with Margaret..shopping habits HAVE changed.

Frozen veg which is blast frozen is often fresher than veg sold on the market...gone are the days when the woman would spend her day peeling carrots and chopping cabbage, she doesn't have the time, she's out working.

The example of 3 cheese stalls...none of which, in my recollection, sold low fat, mozarella, edam, gouda, brie, bavarian smoked..eating habits and tastes change, if the seller doesn't provide, he goes under.

The thing about Bury, Skipton and Fleetwood markets is that they have a diversity of stalls and shops, set in a compact area that does not feel overcrowded. There's no free parking, but, as a driver, I'd rather pay £2-£3 for a couple of hours easy parking than negotiate the Arndale on a market day. Those markets always look clean and, to quote Councillor Pritchard, are 'vibrant'. Which Accrington market most definitely is not.

There used to be a guy who won award after award for his sausages tucked away on Warner Street, who knew about him apart from locals and other sausage makers? He should have been given a low rent stall/shop smack dab in the middle of the market, should have been advertised, 'Accrington-home of the best sausages in the world', instead he got the annual page two Observer comment.

As long as we have councillors who pay lip service and think we have a vibrant market, the town will suffer, what is needed is a councillor with the cohones to say, 'its a mess, it's totally screwed, let's knock the whole lot down and start again'

I won't hold my breath with either this lot (or the last lot)