FACEBOOK COMMENTS

WHAT you’ve been saying on our Facebook page: ●● BUTCHER and bridal shop leave Accrington Market (July 12):

Rachael Slinger: Three generations of my family [worked] on that market and left due to the mess that was being made of the market. It’s such a shame. I wish him all the best! There will soon be nothing left of the market other than a seating area. Heather Anne Bradley: Lower the rent and the stalls will fill up - simple. Good luck to them in their new premises. Amanda Holland: It’s such a shame. There’s less and less businesses left in the Market Hall. My uncle had to sell up when they raised the rent and “improved” the market hall. Such a shame. Miffy Angel Clegg: All the best for your new adventures xx Lisa Jones: Maybe bring the traders that are upstairs down to fill the stalls that are downstairs so it doesn’t look so desolate. A lot of people only go upstairs to use the toilet. Donna Lawrenson: I think it’s a brilliant move for both companies. This way the business opening hours will fit better with the local shoppers. It’s a shame for the market but people’s shopping habits and times have changed but the market hall still has old fashion opening hours. Callum James: I would send someone to look at Radcliffe market. Similar levels of poverty and demographics and nowhere near as iconic a building. It was dying at death like ours. There’s always something on now and I’ve been over for some food a few times. Traditional shopping habits HAVE changed...but there’s no excuse not to adapt. San Edge: Sad news for the market hall its dying a slow death. HBC need to realise something drastic needs doing.

How many more need to leave before they realise there’s no stall holders want trade in Accrington anymore. Great news for little Blackburn Road though. Hope he does well. Good luck. Kelly Chew: This council needs to hang their heads in shame for what the market has become.

Used to fit four stalls on one. Bernadette Walsh: Another sign of the traders not being listened to. It all seems to be about events on that barren space in front of the town hall/ market hall now. What with the bus station being so far out and stalls closing at this rate is it any wonder our town is like a ghost town most days?

ARNDALE bosses demand business rates help for ‘suffering’ town centre (July 12):

Vera Walker: I don’t really think we ever needed the Arndale Centre. Broadway used to have such good shops at one time. I wonder if the town can ever recover. So very sad. Dawn Roberts: Bring back free parking, that’s what Accrington was well known for. Business rates are set by the government I believe so can’t blame the council but maybe lowering rents would help? As the owners of the centre are the ones complaining perhaps they could be more proactive by reducing their charges to encourage more businesses to rent from them, surely a lower income is better than none?

THIEVES strip Baxenden St John’s Church for the third time this year (July 19):

Anne Marie Skellern: Disgusting..no respect for anything. Vera Walker: Terrible to say the least. Churches struggle enough as it is to keep going due to dwindling congregations and overheads. Edna Beach: Crime will continue until the punishment fits the crime. Booth Kate: No wonder churches close down.

A NEW Accrington micro-pub is set to open in the town centre targeting ‘discerning’ customers (July 19):

Ellie Jade: Cant wait for it to open! Such lovely men running a lovely little bar and putting so much effort into this new venture of theirs Paul Hewison: That’s what the town needs. Only issue is it is on the wrong side of town. Would have been better on the Warner Street area, but good luck to them!