A SHOP that was at the heart of Clitheroe's charity shop row has been taken over by a cosmetics retailer.

And a traders' spokesman has welcomed the return of a real business to the premises.

The anti-smoking charity Quit took over the double-fronted Castle Street premises last month.

It occupied a prominent town centre site, but was subject to fierce criticism from nearby traders for being closed most of the time.

It was one of three charity shops to open in the town centre in the same week - bringing the total to nine and earning Clitheroe a "charity shop city" tag with out-of-town bargain-hunters.

The shop has now been taken over by Haslingden businessman David Johnson, of Harlech Close, and will trade as Consumer's Choice, selling cosmetics, toiletries and perfume. He said he hoped to open for business on Thursday after an extensive re-fit of the premises and claimed the outlet would bring a new lease of life to Clitheroe town centre.

He said: "This is a prime site and I hope to bring something back into the town by offering a wide range of goods at excellent prices and employing local people."

Consumer's Choice, which also has stores at Accrington, Burnley, Bury and Colne, operates under licence to pharmaceutical firm Nield's Distribution of Altham.

Clitheroe Chamber of Trade president Nigel Pratt, who has campaigned against the charity shops, said the new outlet was good news for Clitheroe.

"This substantial retail property will now be used for retail purposes, which is what we want. We are very pleased," he said.

His members are now lobbying for bye-laws restricting the number of charity shops that can occupy a town centre and want them licensing, for greater control.

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