Councillors clash on town centre job role

CONCERNS have been raised over the job title for a new town centre regeneration role.

Conservative group leader Coun Tony Dobson criticised Hyndburn council advertising the job as a business and marketing ‘coordinator’.

He said the title should reflect the aim to recruit someone who would act as a town centre manager.

Work began this week on the new £2m Accrington town square which is set to open next summer.

Speaking at the recent cabinet meeting, Coun Dobson said: “I just think naming it a coordinator doesn’t send out the right message for the right person we are looking to get into the town centre and doesn’t send out the right message to the traders.”

Coun Parkinson responded: “It’s a name. They can call themselves what they want as long as they deliver the terms of reference. More important is the spec for the title the aspiration and ability of the individual.”

Construction staff arrived at the site outside the town hall this week. The area will commemorate the Accrington Pals and see the restoration of historic, retail and commercial buildings. Council bosses said the phased scheme will minimise disruption.

Coun Parkinson said the council is ‘doing their utmost’ to attract in extra funding to improve the town centre but warned that ‘we can’t force people to shop in the town’.

He said: “We have to be aware it’s not just purely the council’s responsibility for the town centre.

“There are the major stakeholders, the independent stakeholders and even more the actual population of the borough and how they want their town centre to flourish.”