THE deal to bring national pub chain JD Wetherspoon to Accrington has still not been signed.

Nearly two months after the company announced it intended to buy three units in the town's Broadway there is still no sign of movement.

And there may not be until the new market development is completed next year.

The venture aims to provide up to 35 full and part-time jobs when it goes ahead.

But a company spokesman said they were keeping their options open in case it did not happen. He was not aware what the hold-up was.

Two previous deals the company hoped to sign, one for the company to take over the former Lar de Dars nightclub and one involving another venue on Broadway, fell through.

Last year the Watford-based pub chain pulled out of a deal to invest £900,000 to convert a number of units on Broadway, although the council had already given planning permission, because the premises were too small.

The Lar de Dars deal went flat earlier this year after Wetherspoons bosses decided the renovation costs for the building, which failed to sell at auction last month ,were too much.

Wetherspoons already has three outlets in East Lancashire, including one in Blackburn, and one in Manchester Road, Burnley, which opened in February in a former office block.

A spokesman for Wetherspoons said they were still intent on coming to Accrington.

He said: "We have been trying to make progress on this matter this week, it's still something we are working on.

"We have a requirement for the town and we are still looking at other opportunities if this one falls through.

"There's not one property that we have set our sights on

"But there are a couple of opportunities although I would rather not say which they are at the moment.

"We are keeping our options open."

Councillor David Myles, portfolio holder for leisure at Hyndburn Borough Council, said there was nowhere for the company to go until the new units in Broadway had been completed.

"I hope it won't be too long a delay but I don't think we are going to see them until the new market development is finished."

The market regeneration scheme is scheduled for completion in May 2003.