IT was boom town Burnley as Christmas lights switch-on night triggered a trading bonanza for retailers.

The start to the late night openings saw an average sales increase of 20 per cent compared with last year, say town centre managers.

And that wasn't the only good news for traders, with figures released today showing a massive rise in the number of shoppers using the centre over a three year period.

A newly-commissioned survey reveals weekly pedestrian footflow around the main shopping areas in the centre was 42 per cent up compared with a previous survey carried out in October 1996.

The survey, carried out by nationally recognised Pedestrian Market Research Services also showed an even larger 68 per cent rise in pedestrians in the Charter Walk shopping area.

Other recent performance figures show the centre, voted the best in Lancashire in one recent survey, show the central area continuing to perform well and attract new investment. The number of vacant units dropped by two per cent over the lst year from 52 units in November 1998 to nine per cent or 41 units out of 457 currently - three per cent below the national average for town centres. Recent new lettings have gone to Clinton Cards, Millett's and The Phone People. Sales figures from a number of major retailers for September and October are also promising, say mangers, with increased turnover over the two-month period.

Lisa Durkin, assistant town centre manager, said continued investment includes the recent opening of the basement area of Woolworth and Marks and Spencer's plans to spend another £100,000 on internal refurbishment in the new year following their multi million pounds opening of the second trading floor last year.

Mrs Durkin said the year 2000 would also be an exciting time for the centre with a host of new developments.

These included the opening of the Curzon Square shopping area in the spring, bringing in new stores such as TJ Hughes, Wilkinsons, MVC and several other retailers.

Proctors Foundry Lodge Hotel would be an exciting new leisure development and J.D. Wetherspoons would also be opening on Hammerton Street around the Easter period.

Discussions were still under way for retailers to fill the former Co-opt Living store, she said.

Mrs Durkin added: "We are delighted that across such a wide range of measures the town centre is trading successfully."

"We are sure that with the continued support of all our shoppers and visitors, we can have a great Christmas and then seek to further improve Burnley town centre for everyone."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.