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Fear Rawtenstall masterplan will kill town centre shopping

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Fear Rawtenstall masterplan will kill town centre shopping

Business leaders in Rawtenstall have voiced their concerns about the Masterplan for the town which they fear will lead to shoppers avoiding the centre and going elsewhere.

Rawtenstall Masterplan has been drawn up by Rossendale Borough Council and Lancashire County Council. The multi-million-pound plan proposes several major projects being implemented including: redeveloping the market, redesigning the gyratory system at Queen’s Square, introducing a bus lane, creating a town centre one-way system on main streets and removing on-street parking.




Although members of Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce are excited that funding has been made available, concerns have been raised about the potential impact the disruption will cause. They have other positive proposals they would like to see put forward regarding how the investment in the town centre could be used.

Chairman David Gould said: “We recognise that it is vital that any changes that are to be made are the right ones and these changes must be carefully planned to ensure that they will impact existing businesses minimally, such that they are able to continue operating profitably during and beyond the period when works are being carried out.

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“Many of our members are suffering the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, subdued customer confidence and inflation, they are nervous that RBC might embark upon schemes which will add to their existing problems.”

The Chamber has sought advice from nationally recognised experts before compiling a three-page response to the masterplan.

In it they raise concerns about where the market stalls may be relocated to while any development happens and whether parking spaces may be taken up by contractors.

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