Plans for an £11 million redevelopment of a historic East Lancashire retail hub include providing a soft play area on site.

The proposal for Accrington's Grade II listed Victorian Market Hall was announced at a meeting of Hyndburn's cabinet on Wednesday.

The borough's levelling up boss, Cllr Mohammed Younis, also revealed he hoped to transfer its existing traders into vacant commercial units in the town centre by the end of the year so the upgrade works could start.

He told the meeting a review of what the redeveloped market hall should offer by experienced retail property consultants Barker Proudlove (BP) has identified the need to include a play area as a possible magnet for customers.

It also recommended the renovated building should be managed by an outside commercial operator and existing council staff working there transferred to it on the same pay and conditions.

Labour group deputy leader Cllr Melissa Fisher asked: "Are there plans for a soft play area in the market hall?"

Borough Conservative leader Cllr Marlene Haworth replied: "Yes. It will be very family friendly."

Netherton Labour councillor Noordad Aziz then said: "Will this not take people away from the soft play area at Hyndburn Leisure Centre?

"There used to be a soft play area in the Arndale Centre which had to close due to lack of customers."

Cllr Haworth said she did not think a soft play area in the market hall would impact on the leisure centre and that introducing one would persuade people to stay longer.

She said: "People would be able to spend more time shopping knowing their children were playing safely under professional supervision."

Cllr Younis told the meeting in a report: "BP were appointed to review the design for the redeveloped Market Hall and to identify a model most likely to attract a strong operator interest by exploring the inclusion of other complementary uses.

"Given the council’s proposal would be in direct competition with other more established sites within neighbouring boroughs, BP suggested the need to offer a unique selling point, which could set Accrington Market Hall apart.

"A suggestion was for the council to consider the inclusion of play and/or another leisure activity offering.

"This may encourage customers across a greater spread of the week, (weekdays / earlier in the day) and from a wider demographic who may stay longer and therefore provide for a greater spend.

"The Market Hall is within the council’s ownership and there are around 30 leasehold traders, plus casual traders who may choose to turn up and pay to trade on a per day basis.

"Leasehold traders continue to engage with the decant project team on the plans to move into temporary units on Broadway / Town Square / vacant town centre commercial units to achieve full vacant possession by the end of the year."