SECRECY surrounding plans to redevelop Rawtenstall town centre has been slammed by the local chamber of commerce.

At a meeting of the corporate policy's Rawtenstall town centre regeneration sub-committee it was announced the two 'rival' companies who had bid for the development were now working together to come up with a plan.

Rossendale Council leader Coun John Holt, said: "Since the last meeting the two have got together and are putting together some sort of partnership approach and they have asked for a further four weeks in which to put the bid together.

"The scheme will involve the council-owned bus station, town hall, Liberal Club and the car parks adjacent to the town hall."

He would not reveal who the developers were, but admitted they did not have headquarters in the Valley.

They are looking to develop the area for a variety of shops and offices with associated car parking.

But the town's chamber of commerce has not been notified about the plans and secretary Keith Pilkington, said although he accepted the matter may be commercially sensitive he felt as a matter of courtesy the council should have informed the traders of what is proposed.

He said: "They consult us about other matters but not about this and these proposals affect all businesses in Rawtenstall. Hurstwood's kept us fully informed about its plans for a new supermarket off St Mary's Way."

Coun Holt said the meeting looked at various buildings which could be a possible site for the town hall but none were ideal.

"However, he said a new town hall may be incorporated into the redevelopment of the town centre.

Coun Holt added: "Any redevelopment of Rawtenstall would be welcomed by me." The original town hall was opened in September 1890 in a building which used to be a share exchange and social club known as the Exchange Club.

It was extended in October 1910 at a cost of £5,000 and then extended again in May 1965 at a cost of £45,000 and was built in just 12 months.

The final extension was built in May 1987.

It used to be the base of the former Rawtenstall Borough Council until local government reorganisation in 1974, when it became the town hall for Rossendale.

Bacup's former town hall at Stubbylee houses the council's engineering and planning section.