Colne market traders and others linked to town centre businesses have voiced a mix of objections and support to the latest version of redevelopment plans for the town's indoor market hall.
'BUSINESSES PUSHED TO ONE SIDE' Damien Hunt, speaking for some market hall traders, said: "I have read the levelling-up prospectus. It has phrases about bringing people together, giving pride, bringing economic benefits and binding communities together. He said: "A lot of businesses are not accommodated in the new plan. A cafe owner was told she will have to close. There was some crying at the meeting. People were told they would have to leave the meeting if they couldn't stop crying.
"When I took on the BID role two years ago, I wanted to support the market. I have great memories of the outdoor market as a child and want to support that. We want to support the indoor market hall too and promote the whole market. I believe the new plan will provide the hook to attract more people."
Lib-Dem Coun David Whipp, the new deputy leader of Pendle Council, said: "There is no doubt that the market hall project has been badly bungled. It has been kept under wraps. There has been no consideration by the PEARL joint venture. which I'm a board member. There has not been a meeting of that joint venture where we have looked at any proposals for the market hall redevelopment.
He said the new council executive should not approve a set of recommendations about the market hall in a report. Instead, a market hall working group should formed with two executive councillors, two Colne Town Council members, two Colne Area Committee members and two market traders. They should produce a report for the executive's next meeting.
"Communications could have been better and must be better, going forward. We have a new officer team and communications will be at the heart of our approach. We need to bring business tenants with us. This is about long-term prosperity for Colne and market businesses. The building needs to improved and invested in, if it survives.
Coun Ash Sutcliffe said: "This has been part of my life for two years. It's something we have all wanted because it's a prestigious project that will add value to the town.