Town centres need us for vibrant future

RARELY can I remember a time when there were so many things for this column to write about.

But as I set about writing this week’s column, it somehow felt wrong to dwell on the contentious issues facing this area because, after all, it’s Christmas.

Often, we’re faced with matters which we can’t control, and which infuriate us because we’re reliant on other people or organisations to solve them.

But at the weekend, I was reminded of how important we are to the future of our local town centres.

Whether or not Rawtenstall, Ramsbottom, Bacup and Haslingden town centres were quieter or busier as a result of the confusion from Government on what you’re supposed to do to help stop the spread of Covid, I don’t know.

What I do know is that Rawtenstall town centre was lovely last Saturday morning. It felt busy, and it also felt special.

On Bank Street, the independent shops – gift shops, florists, food shops – bustled and the staff were, as ever, incredibly friendly. Sweetie’s, Planet B, Lollypop, Isbakes, Bolthole, Sunday Best Patricia’s Floral Fair,

Chockleart and Siphon were all stops for us on Saturday – who needs trips further afield when you have these shops and more on your doorstep?

Rawtenstall Market was also a treat. For the regular criticism of the council’s activities on many matters, it’s only right to acknowledge the changes made to Rawtenstall Market in recent years, under two different sets of management teams.

At the weekend, it was positively bustling with a mixture of the long-term stallholders, newer arrivals and some traders who are just popping in. The fact you can now ‘sit in’ rather than just shop at the market has made all the difference, while the outside market really is becoming a destination for a nice meal in unusual surroundings as more and more high-quality food places open.

It’s not the only market on the up around here, either. Earlier in the month, I went to the

Makers Market in Haslingden for the second time – a really fun experience with a great mix of stalls selling a range of crafts and other stuff, which hopefully over next year will continue to grow in reputation as a fun way to spend a Sunday.

But all of these local attractions require our support to keep going – especially over the next couple of months. Who know what restrictions or regulations we will be under by the time you read this column.

Regardless, these are local businesses – and many others I’ve not listed, such as the corner shops, the bakeries, the hardware stores, the butchers, the hairdressers, the beauty salons which populate every community in Rossendale – which make our local high streets special places.

We’ll all probably feel the pinch in January, and not want to head out quite so often (indeed, perhaps we’ll be told not to).

But we need to make sure we find ways to help support our local businesses when 2022 begins. Christmas shopping in our area was a special affair this year – year-round support from us all hopefully ensures it’ll be the same next Christmas too.