ACCRINGTON town centre has received a massive shot in the arm with the news that Oswaldtwistle Mills is to take over the vacant Woolworth’s store.

An outlet called The Best of Oswaldtwistle Mills will open its doors on the Broadway site before Easter, employing 15 people in full-time and part-time jobs.

The new store will sell a range of women’s fashion brands, local favourites such as Stockley’s Sweets and Musbury Fabrics, and bigger brands such as Yankee Candles.

Managing director Boyd Hargreaves said: "We are confident that we can help support the community in Accrington which has lost a major high street retailer.

"Woolworth’s had to close due to wider group issues but this store seems to have had a reasonable trading performance and is in an excellent location.

"There is a lot of negativity at the moment surrounding the empty shops in the town centre and we hope our introduction will help to revitalise activity.

"We will do our utmost to provide a good service and add to the prosperity and social cohesion of the town and its surrounding areas."

If successful during an initial 12-month lease, the outlet could expand among the store’s three floors, selling more produce available at the flagship store – the second most visited attraction in the North West behind the Trafford Centre.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said he was delighted to hear the positive news for the borough.

He said: "Anything that brings investment into the area is fantastic news, especially when it’s a successful company like Oswaldtwistle Mills.

"The outlet will create jobs, will help to improve the town and, in turn, will support local residents."

James Salmon from Protego, owners of the Arndale Centre, also welcomed the investment.

He said: "We are delighted to have agreed terms with Oswaldtwistle Mills so swiftly after Woolworth’s departure."

The Woolworth’s store, which had been in the town for 83 years, closed in January with the loss of 21 jobs.

l A £3M expansion of Oswaldtwistle Mills’ main premises has been given the green light after extra funds were put aside for road safety.

A massive 14,000 square foot food hall and restaurant will be created as well as workshops, an exhibition area, a new entrance and an extended garden.

When bosses unveiled their expansion plans last February they said the move would create 60 new jobs.

The former GB Timber shop on the corner of Union Road and Moscow Mill Street will be converted into a stone-built, glass-fronted building to house the expansion.

Hyndburn Council’s Planning Committee approved the plans on condition that Oswaldtwistle Mills gives the council £50,000 to spend on road safety measures.