THREE leading retailers want stores in a proposed retail park on the edge of Accrington town centre which could create around 20 new jobs.

The prospective tenants are Netto Food Store, Pound Stretcher and Halfords; and negotiations are underway with a fourth regional retailer.

Eccles-based developer Citypark Land this week submitted a full planning application to build four retail units and a car wash on the former dairy site at Eastgate.

A layout of the proposed development sent in to Hyndburn Council shows Netto with 10,000 sq ft of space, Pound Stretcher 8,000 sq ft, Halfords 7,331 sq ft, and a regional retailer 10,000 sq ft.

Mr Keith Stacey, a director of Citypark, said financial terms had been agreed with the three named retailers and solicitors were preparing the documentation.

The managing director of Netto, who is based in Denmark, has flown over to look at the Eastgate site.

Subject to planning permission being granted and the site being sold to the developer by joint owners Hyndburn Council and MD Foods, building work could begin in the late summer.

Hyndburn Chamber of Trade president Mr Brian Hodgeson said: "Naturally small shopkeepers are going to be concerned about their livelihoods depending what and who comes in.

"I think the council are thinking it might throw people over to our side of the town more, but to what extent and whether they will get out and walk around remains to be seen.

"It is better than an eyesore as long as it's built in keeping with surrounding buildings.

"When a retail development was proposed before local people were frightened they were going to end up with enormous sheds," he added.

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