A COUNCIL is hoping a specialist ‘retail hub’ can revive a recession hit town centre.

Lower occupancy rates and the loss of businesses in Accrington have become more and more of a problem over the past few years.

Now a bid is being put forward to revive its fortunes.

If accepted, Accrington would become a ‘Portas Pilot’ town, where a revamped street scene would be created under the advisement of TV retail guru Mary ‘Queen of Shops’ Portas.

Hyndburn officers propose creating a town centre ‘hub’ to attract potential traders as part of their application to join the scheme.

The new business hub would be a one-stop shop where potential traders could obtain business advice and information on business planning, rents, rates and planning requirements.

It is envisaged the Town Centre ‘hub’ would help to stimulate demand and interest for opportunities in the town and also support potential new businesses through the difficult process of getting a premises and using space.

Head of partnerships and performance at the council, Rob Grigorjevs, said: “It will also for the first time provide valuable hard data and information on the state of our town centre and create a dialogue with landlords and businesses about the way forward.”

The proposed bid has been approved by the Town Centre Regeneration Board, the Market Traders Committee, the Arndale Centre landlords and the Chamber of Trade. In addition 20 town centre businesses have so far given their support to the bid.

If approved, the concept will be included in a bid to become a government ‘Portas Pilot’ which will be submitted by the end of the month.