Lib Dem PPC impressed by Darwen Market Traders

Can I express my thanks to all the market traders I met during a visit to Darwen market the other Saturday morning for their most friendly and hospitable welcome.

We hear of local town centres across the nation struggling amid the squeeze on people's pockets from the 'credit crunch,' but Darwen Market seemingly is bucking the trend - this was tremendously heartening.

It was really good to speak to traders and I was impressed by a real sense of community, which had a wide outreach because many of them sourced their produce from the local area. Here is quite a lesson in aiding the local Darwen economy and combating the recession that we all are presently confronting.

I am also pleased that the Darwen LibDems too share a great pride in the Darwen market, proven through the partnerships they have formed with the Market traders alliance. They have also worked towards achieving investment into the market building, which will see the main toilet block refurbished and a renovation of the annex between the car park and the main hall.

But our commitment stretches even further as we are committed to the long term future and sustainable presence of the market in Darwen. This will mean working in collaboration with the traders to really ensure that prosperity continues to flow through this much valued institution.

This is an ambition for the market that I fully back, as we in this camp continue a long tradition in Darwen of not only supporting the town, but also taking the necessary action for this to happen.