TRADERS in Bacup and Stacksteads are being urged to unite in a bid to sell the area to visitors by launching a Chamber of Trade.

Doug Spencer, owner of Pyrosafe which provides fire protection for businesses, based in Rochdale Road, Bacup, has initiated the scheme which will provide help and support for traders while helping to promote the area.

A dinner-dance is to be held at the end of April at Bacup Leisure Hall to encourage traders to meet other business owners.

Doug said: "I have approached all the businesses I know and most seem keen to join up to a Chamber of Trade.

"We want people to come to the dinner to meet each other and to put forward ideas as to how we can improve the place.

"Bacup is a lovely town and if we had the chance to bring out it's full potential it would make it a better place to live and work and also help improve business."

Potential members will be asked to pay a yearly fee of £25, which will help local shops apply for grants.

The Chamber of Trade will approach the council on issues affecting the town on behalf of businesses.

Doug added: "There are loads of empty shops, most of which have been broken into on several occasions.

"Shops in the centre can't have shutters because it's a conservation area, so they have a problem with security.

"A Chamber of Trade could help solve this by putting forward ideas to the council and getting funding from various sources.

"It would be a great asset to the area and I hope that people will be keen on joining."

Doug is calling on any business which he has not yet contacted to get in touch with him on 01706 879810.

Leaflets about the Chamber of Trade are available from Ross Computers, St James Street, Bacup, Universal Cleaners, St James Square, Bacup and Bacup Golf Club.