AFTER establishing that the proposed supermarket development, Redearth Road, Hardman Way, Darwen scheme is likely to be given the go ahead, I have already sold my premises in Bridge Street and expect many others to follow suit. I can only foresee a rapidly declining future for most Darwen traders as a result.

I am old enough to remember a thriving retail community of more than 50 shops in Astley Bridge, Bolton before the Asda development. These shops have now all gone and it has been the same story in any other neighbouring towns. So why should Darwen be any different?

My feeling is that any extra revenue to the council from Sainsbury's will be far out-weighed by empty properties and empty market stalls. The questions to be asked: Just who is pressing so hard to bring about this development and why? Does Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson know? Does anybody know when we already have three supermarkets in town all situated only yards from the new proposed site?

The land would be of much greater benefit to the town if used to alleviate the ever worsening parking problems. Darwen's most recent buoyant period of trading was when School Street was used for parking before the building of Netto and Superdrug.

Blackburn with Darwen Council would earn a lot more prestige if its efforts were concentrated on assisting existing businesses who have served the local community for decades, instead of supporting a scheme that could decimate the retail business community.

Name and address supplied.

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