RETAILERS in Pendle have called for a package of improvements to boost trade.

A business confidence survey carried out for Pendle Council produced calls for better parking, environmental improvements and a larger police presence in the borough's town centres.

The survey aimed to identify levels of optimism, changes in turnover, issues affecting trade, employment levels and what may need to be done to improve trading conditions for retailers.

Environmental improvements were ranked top as the most important issue to Nelson town centre's overall success.

In Nelson, 81 per cent of traders claimed that the majority of their shoppers came from within Nelson and that their businesses attracted very few shoppers under the age of 20 years and they tended to rely on shoppers aged between 36 and 50 years.

Eighty per cent of retailers interviewed thought that Nelson was doing less well then neighbouring towns such as Colne and only ten per cent of retailers had taken on more staff in the last six months

Some of the ways that trade could be improved in Nelson town centre, according to those interviewed, included more retail outlets, particularly those selling quality goods and fewer bargain shops, better circulation of traffic, higher police presence, and abandoning the disc parking scheme.

Promotion and marketing ranked top as the most important issue to Colne town centre's overall success.

In Colne, the age of customers was far more varied than Nelson and Brierfield with the majority of customers being either 21 to 35 or over 50. Businesspeople interviewed in Colne felt that trade could be improved by introducing more retail businesses, more events, increased police and security and improved advertising of Colne as a place to shop.

In Brierfield it was revealed that businesses tended to rely very heavily on over 50s and attracted very few people aged under 20.

Employers in Brierfield felt that trade could be improved through better parking on main roads and more investment in the town centre to attract more visitors. Improvements to premises ranked top as the most important issue to Brierfield town centre's success. Janet Bradbury, the council's executive director for regeneration, said: "This is a useful new exercise that the council has instigated.

"It will have a number of benefits such as improving dialogue with town centre retailers, improving understanding of their needs and identifying ways that the council can facilitate in regenerating our town centres.

"We appreciate the comments made by those who took part in the survey.

"The council wants to work with local traders to help them improve their businesses as well as facilitating regeneration of our town centres."

A follow-up survey is planned at the end of April 2003 and surveys will continue to be carried out on a six-monthly basis.