TRADERS whose livelihoods have been hit by controversial work in Nelson town centre could be helped through the business rates system.

Traders have complained that takings are down because of expansion works at the Pendle Rise shopping centre by Manchester-based developers Modus which, they claim, have discouraged shoppers from visiting the town centre.

The works also caused health and safety concerns after a workman's ladder damaged a packed escalator and part of the roof. On another occasion, the centre was evacuated after roof tiles fell to the floor.

In response to a question from Coun Gary Rowland at a full council meeting, council leader Alan Davies said the authority would do all it could to ease the problems, including looking at the ratings system where possible.

Coun Rowland asked whether the leader felt the development would bring more investment to people and jobs in the town centre.

Coun Davies said: "Any serious investment in Nelson town centre has got to be welcomed in terms of people.

"I think everybody is in a position to judge for themselves, there's quite clearly a lot of people who aren't coming into Nelson town centre at the moment.

"I wonder how many of the independent traders will be able to stay open during this period.

"As an authority we will use whatever legislation is possible to mitigate some of the worst effects and that means we can look at the ratings system.

"We can look at options and bring them back to various committees. That work has already started and a small number of retailers have contacted me with brief details."

Coun Davies said the council had tried to negotiate with developers to start work after the Christmas trading season, but this had proved impossible.