A MASTERPLAN to revamp Accrington Town Centre in a bid to bring it into the 21st Century has taken a vital step forward.

Earlier this year businesses and retailers met with representatives from Urbanism Environment Design (URBED) to come up with ideas to reshape the town centre.

It is hoped the masterplan can transform the town and bring new businesses into the centre over the next few years.

This week, at a meeting of Hyndburn Council's Cabinet group, councillors were given an update on how the work was going.

The programme for the masterplan is as follows:

  • A baseline study will be set up to look at the town and see how it is currently performing, and look at its potential. A report based on this will be drawn up by the end of July
  • A report will then be submitted by October drawing up possible options for the town
  • Between October and January, a draft masterplan with ways to revamp the town will be drawn up
  • Detailed proposals will be finished by March which will then be presented to the Cabinet.

In the past, ideas put forward by shopkeepers have included improving the train station and relocating the bus station in a bid to make the area more shopper-friendly.

The news was welcomed by the council's Labour Group but some members said they hoped the plan would produce long-term results for the town.

Councillor Jean Battle said: "I hope this masterplan will not just sit on the shelf like so many others have done.

"I have been on this council too long to see the consultants get a nice fat pay cheque and nothing get done."