A CAMPAIGN to dramatically revive the fortunes of one of Nelson’s principal shopping streets is gathering pace.

Several key schemes have been suggested to boost footfall along Scotland Road, which has a number of vacancies.

And town centre officer Hanna Latty is convinced that traders have the right attitude to bring about significant changes to the pedestrianised route.

She said: “There is a lot of potential there because it is probably the last pedestrianised area in the town centre, after the improvement works.

“We have been working closely with the traders who have been great and are willing to explore a number of ways to turn things around.”

An initial £20,000 has been secured from Nelson Town Council and the town’s area committee to begin replacing seats and planters – and fresh bids for assistance will be lodged after April.

Proposals for a voucher system, involving Scotland Road shops, have already been discussed, which could be modelled on Colne’s successful loyalty scheme.

Council teams performed a thorough clean-up operation on the service areas behind Scotland Road, after reports of a rubbish build-up.

“There have been issues with vacancies on the street but there are still a number of high-quality shops available,” added Hanna.

Early signs of improvement have been welcomed – a new Eastern European store has opened in the former Northern Life offices, the old Holts shoes shop is set to become a sweet centre, and proposals for a new restaurant are being formulated, closer to The Shuttle end of Scotland Road.

The prospect of siting the town’s outdoor market on the road is also being discussed.