SHOPS in Brierfield will be given a make-over this year in a bid to reduce vandalism and improve the appearance of the town.

The approved allocation for Brierfield Town Centre Grants for the year 2001/2002 is £15,000, which comes from the government's Single Regeneration Budget Six funding.

Up to £4,000 has already been allocated to improving the appearance of three local businesses, D&N Worrall Newsagents, Dixy Fried Chicken and Phoenix Enterprises.

Chairman of the Brierfield and Reedley Committee Councillor Roy Clarkson has now given his approval to four new applications for assistance at Julie's Shape and Style hairdressers, in Railway Street, S W Allen Ltd opticians, in Railway Street, Powerhouse Gym, in Burnley Road, and Dave's Newsagents, in Burnley Road.

Jan Joshi, regeneration manager, said: "The general crime levels are relatively low compared to the national statistics but, when a crime does occur, it is more noticeable and exacerbates the fear of unlawful acts.

"Shop front premises will be made more desirable, reducing the threat of vandalism, making the town more vibrant and reducing that fear."

The landlord of Julie's Shape and Style will receive £2,326 to renovate the property, including repairing and painting the shop front and first floor windows, replacing gutters and lead flashing and new signboards. A grant of £493 has been approved towards the cost of new signs at the opticians.

Powerhouse Gym will receive £1,320 towards stone cleaning of the building, rebuilding the boundary wall and landscaping the front of the property to compliment improvement works already undertaken by the owner.

The first phase at Dave's Newsagents has been granted approval and allocated a grant of £2,636 with the second phase being deferred until the SRB plan for 2002/2003 has been approved.

Work to be carried out at the shop before the end of March will include structural improvements to the cellar, which will include a new staircase, reinforcement of the ceiling and concrete flooring and waterproofing the walls.