A TOWN centre shopping arcade is more than half-empty, leaving just three traders in business.

Accrington’s Victorian Arcade has nine empty units after traders left the listed building and one major retailer downgraded from six units to one.

Yesterday Hyndburn’s mayor expressed concerns about the Warner Street listed building’s future.

Coun Malcom Pritchard said: “Something really needs to be done.

"One trader left and others have just followed. It’s like a domino effect.

"It’s a real shame because the arcade could be such an attraction, but it’s looking very deserted and depressing at the minute.”

Warner Street trader and Hyndburn councillor Collette McCormack said: “It is a problem and it needs looking into why the units are empty.

"It could be something very special with the right shops inside, attracting shoppers.”

Still trading is Arcade Washes – a white goods retailer; Choices ex-catalogue store; and Annie’s Cafe.

Choices made the decision to downgrade to just one unit.

Traders who have shut up shop include June’s Accessories, Zoe Out of the Closet fashion retailer, and a pram store.

Choices owner Chris Rowlands said: “We used to occupy a lot of the units, but business has gone so quiet we had to make the decision to cut our rent costs.

"Accrington as a whole, on this side of town, has become very quiet trading wise.

"We will stay afloat, but we couldn’t keep up the other units.”

At Annie’s cafe, owner Ann Pearn said: “Luckily we are still doing well because we have regular customers who keep coming back but there is less passing trade.

"People have been looking at the empty units, so we are hoping for some new neighbours before long.”

Her husband Terry said: “Some of the larger units will be difficult to fill and it needs to be the right sort of business to make the arcade what it should be.”

Owners of the arcade, Liverpool-based Inshops Ltd, were unavailable for comment.