SHOPKEEPERS have expressed concern following news that big-name traders are shutting up shop in Accrington town centre - in favour of out-of-town retail parks.

Norweb, Dixons and Gilbraith Cars have all announced plans to move out of town in the last week.

The news has rocked Accrington Chamber of Trade, whose president Brian Hodgson said: "We are not in favour of out-of-town shops and are concerned that these stores are moving.

"In particular, the Norweb closure is a shock because it always seemed busy. But it's a sign of the times.

"No one is doing as well as they should be and everyone is having to make cut backs. Traders in places like Accrington have to fight together to survive but not everyone wants to do that."

Norweb, part of United Utilities, is to shut up shop in Accrington and Burnley after a review of its retail stores.

According to a company spokesman, the reason for the closures lies in the success of their stores on the outskirts of town, such as their Whitebirk Retail Park branch.

The spokesman said: "Our larger, out-of-town stores have a wider range of products on offer and the review showed that that is where people prefer to buy electrical goods. We appreciate that customers pay their bills at the smaller shops but we will ensure there will still be a local payment facility."

Dixons, in the Arndale Centre, are to close next week to make way for a fashion shop following a review of the company's retail outlets.

Staff from the electrical goods store will be offered relocation to other branches.

Following the loss of its Rover franchise, Gilbraith Cars, Hyndburn's oldest car dealer, is set to close, leaving around 12 of its 19-strong workforce jobless.

Managing director Peter Cheesbrough, said: "It has come as a blow but we are working hard to manage this difficult situation."

It is believed that the smaller Rover dealerships nationwide are being phased out by the company in a switch to larger out-of-town sites.

The steady increase in out-of-town retail and industrial parks is continuing in Hyndburn with recent plans to turn land close to Whitebirk into a mixture of retail, entertainment and industry.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said: "Clearly, out-of-town retail development is harmful to the regeneration of town centre shops.

"But more often than not council planners have no option but to grant planning permission to these developers.

"The government's planning regulations have lapsed in recent years and many developers have permission granted after an appeal against a local authority decision.

"It is a terrible shame that we are seeing chain stores abandon the town centres."

Brian Hodgson, president of Accrington's Chamber of Trade, said: "We are not in favour of out-of-town shops and are concerned that these stores are moving.

"In particular, the closure of Norweb comes as a shock because it always seemed busy. But it is a sign of the times.

"No one is doing as well as they should be and everyone is having to make cut backs. Traders in places like Accrington have to fight together to survive but not everyone wants to do that."

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