TOWN centre bosses said they were working to bring new traders to Accrington, after a survey by the Lancashire Telegraph revealed the town’s main shopping centre has 12 empty units and more than 20 premises in the town centre are up for let.

Hyndburn MP Greg Pope said the empty stores were a worrying sign of the times but there was a glimmer of hope ahead as experts have predicted the recession will be over next year.

Mr Pope said: “The economics are very worrying. The town centre has struggled of the last couple of years and the community is concerned about the number of empty stores in Accrington and we have encouraged stores such as Marks and Spencer to expand.

“But on the upside, everybody has agreed that the economy will grow in 2010.

"So 2010 will be a better year for shoppers in Accrington.”

Bosses said that although the number of empty units was worrying, they were are committed to filling vacant stores and were making progress.

Arndale Centre owners Protego Real Estate said the “tide was turning” with lease holders found for three out of 12 empty units at the centre.

Problems filling the remainder were said to be due to delays with administrators, but Protego said the future looked bright.

New occupants, Paddy Power and Ladbrokes bookmakers are due to open in Union Street shortly and a third leaseholder, secured for the space next to Ladbrokes, will open before Christmas, although the shop's identity has not yet been released.

A new larger-format Oswaldtwistle Mills store, which would fill three vacant units, is also a possibility being discussed, according to Protego.

In the meantime, empty units at the centre are highly visible with the closures of stores such as Price Less Shoes, Stationery Box, Hampsons, Cryers Sound and Vision, Mark One, Rayman Gifts and the Officers Club.

Children’s wear store Adams, which closed earlier in the year, is also still empty.

One of the vacant units has been kept aside for charitable organisation Shopmobility, which agreed a deal earlier in the year but is currently raising the funds for a manager.

Darren Hutchinson, at Protego, said: “We recognise how important a vibrant town centre is to Accrington.

"Clearly the whole economy is struggling, particularly retailers, but I feel we are turning a corner.

“We’ve been investing in the centre, having recently redecorated the malls and car park and are planning to install new mall furniture early in the new year.

“Unfortunately there are a number of units which are legally still leased but in the control of the administrators, meaning we only have control of two vacant units.”