Forgotten Farnworth
From the archive, first published Monday 11th Sep 2006.
TRADERS in Farnworth claim they are struggling to stay afloat as shoppers desert the town.
David Boardman, who opened a branch of Select Seconds in Farnworth precinct in February, says he regrets ever moving his business into Brackley Street.
He thinks the council should be doing more to attract investment into the area and encourage shoppers back to the precinct.
Farnworth has been given £50,000 by the council to put towards the quality and range of shops as well as the appearance of the town centre.
Council chiefs will be looking at redeveloping the market precinct and the market to stimulate trade.
They will also carry out a review of street cleaning and litter patrol regimes as well as tackling grot spots and flytipping in the town.
But Mr Boardman says market research carried out by his company shows the number of shoppers visiting the town centre has slumped in the past year
"When we did our research before opening the shop, the footfall appeared to be there," he said.
"But it's dropped dramatically during the past year.
"We own four other branches, and Farnworth's takings are by far the worst.
"People are just not coming into the precinct, and having spoken to other traders we know we're not the only ones who appear to have been forgotten.
"I don't think the number of fast-food outlets in the area is helping things either, because most of them keep their shutters down during the day, which makes Market Street look half-empty.
"We know that Farnworth precinct is under negotiation to be redeveloped, which should help.
"But the public seems to have forgotten just what a good shopping centre Farnworth was and could still be."
Newsagent Faruk Patel, who has owned the Lucky Star shop next door for the past 20 years, said he expected this year's takings to be 30 per cent down.
Mr Patel said he blamed the downward turn in trade on three things: the pedestrianisation of Brackley Street, which means people no longer park up and do a quick shop, the deterioration of the market and the rising cost of renting premises.
Mr Patel said: "There are definitely fewer people coming into the precinct.
"The market stall holders and small independent businesses have all but disappeared.
"For things to improve, the market needs to be sorted out.
"There needs to be better parking facilities and the council could do more to promote the town."
Edinburgh-based developer Ediston Properties bought the lease on the precinct late last year for an undisclosed sum and is negotiating a multi-million pound revamp scheme with Bolton Council.
Halladale, the previous owner, bought the 23 stalls in Farnworth precinct and 12 adjoining shops in Brackley Street in 2003, in a deal worth more than £4.2 million.
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