Shoppers have been reassured that Accrington Market and Market Hall remain open for business during the redevelopment of the town centre.
Lancashire County Council are currently working to remove the bus shelters from Peel Street and provide short stay car parking there, following the opening of the new £6.4m bus station at Crawshaw Street.
It comes after the Observer revealed last week that more than 50 market hall traders have signed a petition claiming the relocation of the bus station away from Peel Street was ‘crippling’ trade.
Coun Clare Cleary, Hyndburn council’s cabinet member for Accrington town centre, said: “The Market is trading as normal whilst the Peel Street work is ongoing and the council will continue to support all its traders on the outside market - including the outside kiosk - during the period of disruption due to these important works.
“Following meetings with our traders the vast majority have reassured the council that they are here for the long haul and have no intention of going anywhere.”
Traders have called for action to provide pick up and drop off points near to the Market Hall, in particular to help elderly and disabled shoppers.
Coun Cleary added the council was putting plans in place to modernise and improve the outside market and were consulting with traders.
She said: “This includes traders speaking with the architects involved in the Townscape Heritage Initiative, to look at how the market can be improved for the future, as the Peel Street plans are part of the wider Townscape Heritage Initiative Improvement Scheme.”
