BUSINESSES surrounding Nelson's Grand Cinema site are being offered compensation by Pendle Council so they can relocate.
But the council's executive director for services, John Kirk, has told councillors many of the businesses do not want to move to another part of town - they want to close down.
Pendle Council compulsorily purchased shops on Market Street, Cross Street and Lambert's Market following the Grand Cinema fire in 2000 and wants to redevelop the area.
Mr Kirk said: "Quite a lot of traders are not wanting to relocate but want to extinguish with a large pay-out from the council and it's not going to happen. We can't afford it and it's illegal."
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