[Margaret Pilkington]

Skuta….I think I have already answered some of those questions.

The unique selling point of the area is supposed to be the Floral Market Town…this was emblazoned on tubs of plants and flowers which were handy targets for vandals…..as for the market…..well, that has not been vibrant or inspiring for a long time….and pretty soon there will be much less of that….it will hardly be a market at all….one fruit stall….a fish stall and a hotch potch of miscellaneous stalls hardly cuts it.

Some of the money will be from Grants from the Heritage Lottery fund….if the application is successful.
Some of the money will be from government….from the Levelling Up Fund….some may be from private investors.

I cannot think,of anything that we have…or are projected to have if this scheme goes ahead, that would generate an influx of tourists.
Yet some Market Research must have been done because they tell us that this thousand people….unless of course that is just a made up figure to bait the hook.

Like you I am dubious as to the benefits to the local residents……what is needed to regenerate the town is jobs, manufacturing jobs, jobs that raise the standards of living for the people who live here.
Until the deprivation of the area is remedied, then all this is just a pipe dream.
There really is no guaranteed market…you and I are both old enough to now that the only guarantees are death and taxes.

Accrington is one of the few local towns that has a lot of free parking.
But free parking is pointless if there is nothing worth getting in the car to see.