PLANS to boost Clitheroe’s ailing economy by redeveloping the town’s market and introducing a major high street retailer have been outlined in a new report.

The Ribble Valley Employment, Land and Retail Study suggests that a store such as Marks and Spencer, regeneration of the market site and pedestrianisation of Castlegate and the top of King Street could be key factors in sustaining Clitheroe’s retail economy.

But the report has prompted a mixed response from council chiefs who differ over the approach needed in the town.

Mike Ranson, Ribble Valley Council leader, said: “I think it is a tremendous piece of work. We can now plan from a point of view where we have done the research and found out what the situation is for the economy in the borough.

“We want to do what we can to revitalise the economy and this report is crucial in that.”

The report, commissioned by Ribble Valley Council in conjunction with Lancashire County Developments, reveals that Clitheroe attracts just 22 per cent of the available retail goods spending from within the area and drastic changes are needed to change that.

According to the study, the Ribble Valley misses out on £168m of potential consumer spending every year. This amounts to 71 per cent of overall spending by borough residents which is lost to towns such as Blackburn, Burnley or Preston.

Coun Allan Knox, Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Ribble Valley Council, said: “I am not sure whether a major high street retailer would be best. What brings people in is the speciality shops such as Dawson’s Department Store and Byrnes’ wines so maybe we should be encouraging more of these.

“We don’t want to become a clone town like so many others across the country.”

The study looked at the whole borough but it identified Clitheroe as the town in most urgent need of attention.

Following the publication of the report a town centre master plant could be drawn up for Clitheroe.