BURNLEY Borough Council must face the challenge of attracting more young people to Burnley Market if it is to compete with the discount stores opening around it, councillors have been told.

The Market Hall, Burnley Open Market and Bric-a-Brac market, as well as Padiham Market, would need improving and making more attractive to all ages if they were to succeed, the public protection committee was told in a report. Padiham Market also needs a 'fundamental re-think', including a possible re-site.

Councillors agreed the main priorities for 2001/2002 included reducing arrears standing at £495,000 this month to £50,000 by December 2001, improving the way services are delivered to traders, improving the market for shoppers and specifically addressing the regeneration of Padiham Market. Markets service manager Colin Hill presented the Market Services Plan 2001/2002, which predicted a continuing decline in Burnley Open Market, which leases only 90 of its 142 stalls, and acknowledged a downturn in the Bric-a-Brac market, which leases around 110 of 142 stalls.

Padiham Market is used less often and was said to suffer from adverse weather conditions and a declining customer base.

Councillor Eddie Fisk praised Clitheroe Market as a good example of how Burnley Market could be. He said: "I went to Clitheroe market and it was a horrible night but it was jam packed because people can get there at night. I am sure if we started opening more hours at night it would be an advantage."

Councillor John Harbour praised the work of the market manager and staff adding: "Hopefully we can turn things around and improve things."