LOCAL traders fear that Ramsbottom town centre will become a ghost town if multi-million plans to build a supermarket in the town get the go-ahead.

United North-West Co-op plans to open a new superstore. The firm is presently seeking permission to demolish buildings on King Street, Prince Street, Irwell Street and Palatine Street for the complex.

The plans have left local traders fearing for their livelihood and residents are concerned about the increase in traffic in the town centre. Mrs Carol Schofield of Bridge Savers, in the town, said: "The general feeling among traders is that Ramsbottom is not big enough to justify another supermarket."

Along with other traders she feels the complex will have a devastating affect on trade.

"You only have to look at Radcliffe and Rawtenstall where shops are boarded up because they cannot compete," said Mrs Schofield, whose family has had a business in Ramsbottom for 30 years. She, along with other people, feels her objections to the plans will be ignored.

"We feel if we try and do anything, then we are banging our heads against a brick wall. Our objections to the grecian urn didn't get us anywhere, and we are just tired of fighting over something that will probably go ahead anyway."

The firm, which already owns 500 outlets across the North West, have made plans for a petrol station.

Mrs Schofield added: "Maybe the supermarket won't affect trade, but when the first one opened shops did close down.

"Boarded up shops do not attract people. We don't want to live in a ghost town."

One concerned resident, of Nuttall Lane, Ramsbottom, said: "Do we need any more traffic, especially HGV vehicles, in the town centre?

"Have we been 'grecian urned' once again?"

A spokesperson from Bury Council said letters had been received over the proposals and would be considered.

United North-West Co-op were unavailable for comment.

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