BUSINESS is not yet booming, but the green shoots of recovery are already springing up in Radcliffe.

Four more vacant shops in the town centre have been given a new lease of life and it is hoped they will encourage other businesses to invest in Radcliffe.

The four shops in Blackburn Street and Dale Street have stood empty for two years.

But new short-term leases offered by the landlords, London and Associated Properties, have attracted a number of small companies.

A craft shop, a sunbed centre and a household goods store are already up and running and an electrical appliances store is due to open any day now.

Mr Malcolm Allerton, who owns Radcliffe estate agents T. Wilkinson & Son which lets the shops, said: "The landlords have received criticism in the past over the empty shops but now they are doing something positive to help regenerate the town centre and bring custom to to Radcliffe."

Radcliffe Renewal Advisory Committee chairman Coun Kevin Scarlett gave a cautious welcome to the news.

"Although it is early days, it is still a step in the right direction and I will lead to a more buoyant town centre," he said.

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