AN empty shop in Nelson will soon be back in use as offices for a community care company.
Plans by Ribble Valley Care Ltd, in Great Harwood, to use the double-fronted property for that purpose were approved this week.
It has previously been operated as a greengrocer's and second-hand furniture shop. Ribble Valley Care spokesman Simon Crowther said the premises would be used as a base in the Pennine area as the company already delivered services to elderly people in Hyndburn, Ribble Valley and Blackburn with Darwen.
He said: "We are a preferred provider to Lancashire County Council, who are having difficulty finding staff to undertake the work.
"This central location is attractive to us in that we can recruit care workers and train them to high standards.
"There will be two or three people working there at any time and care workers will pop in and out.
"Our care workers go into elderly people's homes so they can continue to lead an independent life."
The proposal was approved on a two-year temporary basis so that the property would not be standing empty but it will be reviewed once the extension to the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre has been completed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article