Re: Fake shops
 

They don't need to falsify shop facades to stop it looking off putting Susie they just need to do something about the Maundy Army that make the centre such an unattractive place for people to come shopping, that costs nothing.

Re: Fake shops
 

Spot on Guinness, I've stated before that the Squire of Rishton, was a seven day a week member when he was slagging Britcliffe of every day, yet since being elected and his mob taking control he's been very conspicuous with his absence, mind you the appearances might just rise over the next few weeks, its the silly season, better known as vote for us time again:rolleyes:

Re: Fake shops
 

Quite right accyman politics is about illusions better known in the trade as smoke and mirrors;)

Re: Fake shops
 

sFirstly, it's not just about budget alone. Go to Bury and, apart from the usual quota of chavs found in most towns, you will not find an assortment of deadbeats and junkies wandering around as you do in Accy.

Secondly, Bury's an extreme example. You can go to other towns, some of which are an equivalent size and they all seem to be busier. Why?

Re: Fake shops
 

Take a look at Leigh, near Wigan, its as busy as a beehive in contrast to Accy

Re: Fake shops
 

Quite right. Same size as Accy, sandwiched between Wigan and Bolton like Accy is between Blackburn and Burnley. A distinctly undistinguished looking town centre - none of the superb Victorian buildings that Accy has. The market hall's a concrete shed. Yet it's far, far busier than Accy and, although there are empty shops, there's nowhere near the number you'll see in Accy.

Why?

Re: Fake shops
 

Maybe the Squire of Rishton, can persuade Myles, oops sorry Miles to commission a report as to why this is, after all it would appear that the only requisite one needs to be a councilor in Hyndburn these days is to be totally deaf and walk about with blinkers on when in the town centre ;)

Re: Fake shops
 

We already know about Jays spelling and enjoy the fact that he has a natural talent to screw it up, no harm done there really is there?



A 100k pot for what? Has a full 100k been put to one side for doing up all of our empty shops? Or is it part of a squanderlust fund that can be dipped into for just about any hairbrained schemes someone comes up with?

From what I understand this story broke in the Obbo, perhaps they thought it important enough to sensationalise this ridiculous state of affairs, money that could be better spent during these austere times on real projects that would actually help the community of Hyndburn.

As Marge P said, just papering over the cracks, or would you prefer the tale of the emperors clothes? Spend plenty and get nothing?
:)

Re: Fake shops
 

Neil, I take your point about Bury having a bigger budget, but it isn't just about budgets, it is about the way the town markets itself.

Bury cannot compete with Manchester and its variety of big name shops...though to be fair Bury does have its share of those........I don't think that is what draws the people to it.
So what does draw the people into this town?

It has a vast and thriving traditional market. Something that Manchester, as a city, does not have....so it not only draws people from the small towns around it....it draws from the city too.

I have rarely seen this market quiet.....and if you go midweek, it is still thronged with people....because the coaches that bring people to the coastal towns of the northwest, make it one of their excursions.

Ramsbottom is another very small town. In the shadow of Manchester and Bury....but this little town always seems to have a good footfall.....why?
Because it has something to bring the people from outside the region in....the railway and the diverse independent little shops.

There are lessons to be learned, but it appears that HBC don't really want to learn them...they want to extract business rates from empty shops....they want to allow the detritus of society to drive would be visitors away from the town...and are happily supporting the building of a new bus station which will do exactly that for them.......for a back hander from TESCO.....Well done Tesco. That is another town you have helped to ruin.

Re: Fake shops
 

Wonder why when Councillor's, are elected they get the weeeeeeeee factor, that's the noise they make when throwing rate payers money about like confetti, its like its not ours we'll spend it as we want, wonderful:mad:

Re: Fake shops
 

Why are the shops closing in the first place, is it because the people of Hyndburn no longer shop in the town, do we not take some responsibility for the demise of the town.

I don't think blaming the council on this matter is justified, and I think the fake shops will in the minds of people alter the perception that we are on the slide, and perhaps tempt people to shop in the town again. So people if we are to make this work, lets at least try to shop in town, LETS MAKE THIS LOCAL, you know it makes sense.

Re: Fake shops
 

Dave another fine point...of course we must all take some responsibility....but(there is always one of those ) if the shops in the town are not providing the things you want and are looking for(at competitive and reasonable prices - we have to remember that there isn't that much money about and people want to get value for the money they spend.)....then what do you do?
You go eslewhere....you shop online.

The town centre has been progressively ruined. We have a market that is an embarrassment(well, to me it is). At one time there were people like Ray Linden, Uncle Dick selling things that you never knew you wanted......they coerced you into buying.
Broadway is a disgrace. Why on earth would people want to come into Accrington to see such and ugly space.
It isn't just the locals we need to entice into town...but people who go to other shopping centres...to other markets.
Personally, I think it is too late to resurrect Accrington town centre.

Re: Fake shops
 

And fake shops might fool some of the people, but I don't think it will really alter the perception that the town is on its uppers....just my opinion.(FWIW)

Re: Fake shops
 

its about responsibility of keeping towns to a certain standard. ive always said the landlord or council should have to keep town centre properties to a certain standard its should be in their contracts. if the property owner cant afford it the council should step in and work in partnership.look at the example of the conservative club.we dont want half the town centre ending up like that.

Re: Fake shops
 

Two examples for you,
1st my son runs his own company, needed an industrial unit, made inquiries locally, found the business tax far too expensive and prohibitive, went out of town for the premises.
2nd my SIL wanted to open a shop made inquiries similar results to the above example, but when he asked around Clitheroe they fell over backwards to help him find premises and make sure he was put in touch with the various retail organisations for the area.

Both found the first few years a struggle, but have managed to develop their business's. They would have preferred to have used our little town but if asked now wouldn't come near even though they would never move from the town so far as living.
Would my son-in-law have put his trust in a shop with a phony and cheap picture outside of it? Well, perhaps but only if there could be some sort of allowances so far as getting his shop up and running.
:(