A NELSON retailer has spoken of her disgust after plans she had to invest £500,000 in a run-down shop in Scotland Road fell at the last hurdle.

Eileen Ansar, who has been a retailer in the town for 25 years, planned to buy the empty units -- which were formerly Thrifty, Cavendish and Costcutters -- and refurbish them.

She spoke out at the council's executive meeting on Thursday evening after the deal fell through as she was about to sign contracts. Mrs Ansar, who owns First Avenue Fashions, in the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre, said: "I was in a position of purchasing the property on exchange of contracts when the contract was taken back.

"There was no reason given except that there was another buyer.

"We had the entire building covered in terms of tenants. We planned to open the bottom floor as retail and upstairs we were going to put a gym, kick-boxing and five-a-side for children. We have been in contact with the local schools and they said Nelson did lack these facilities.

"Nelson also lacks a large retail unit. We wanted to invest £500,000. I don't think anyone would offer that amount to try to revitalise a shop in that area.

"It would have been up and running within three weeks. It's an absolute disgrace. I don't see how anyone can turn down the money we were offering. If they want me to go out of town and spend money elsewhere, fine. But the money we have made has come from the people of Nelson."

No comment was made by the council as the matter was linked to a later item on vacant property in Scotland Road which was discussed in private.

It was agreed that leader of the council Coun Alan Davies, would meet with Mrs Ansar next week to look at all the documentation and correspondence relating to the sale of the unit.