SHOPKEEPERS and stallholders have clashed over plans to allow a town's market to open for a third day every week.

Traders in Bacup have been given the go-ahead to open on Friday as well as Wednesday and Saturday for a trial year following the opening of a new Euro-funded market.

But the move has angered shopkeepers who believe a three-day market will threaten their livelihoods.

Bacup councillor Jimmy Eaton, who voiced shopkeepers' concerns at Rossendale Council meeting, said they had not been consulted as they had been on previous occasions when extra market opening was suggested. He said: "There is only so much money in Bacup. An extra day would just spread it around too thinly." Environmental health committee chairman Coun David Easton said extra money had been invested in the town.

The additional opening was an opportunity to encourage more people to visit Bacup and spend their money there.

"Bacup is on its knees at the moment. Let's see if we can revitalise it.

"Suggestions that this will close businesses is just scaremongering on shopkeepers' part," he added.

Councillors were assured that a meeting would be called in the next few days between town hall and county council staff to discuss the safety of Bacup town centre.

A report to the council following a survey of bridges in Lancashire warned that several town centre roads which were culverts of the River Irwell were under threat.

It pointed out that the roads could be in serious danger of collapse if anything heavier than a loaded transit van used them.

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