PLANS have been submitted for a former butcher's shop in Radcliffe town centre to be converted into a foot clinic.

It comes at the same time as a business next door announces that it is due to move out of the town.

Calls have been made for investment and new traders to move into the centre, where there are currently about six units stood empty.

Applicant Samantha Higgins, from Radcliffe, hopes to establish a new podiatry clinic at 14 Church Street West — formerly the home of McDermotts Butcher and H Nolan & Son.

The planning application submitted to Bury Council seeks to change the use of the site from retail unit and office to a podiatry clinic, with the proposed opening hours of 9am until 5pm Monday to Saturday.

Ms Higgins is looking to rent the space from landlord Ian Hayes.

However, iPC and Laptop Hub Ltd, which has occupied the unit next door for about five years, is due to move out of the town centre.

JonSimon estate and letting agents has been based at units 10-12 Church Street West for about eight years.

Company director Jon Morris said: "There are quite a few empty units in Radcliffe so any unit that it currently filled is beneficial.

"The footfall in the town centre has dropped dramatically in the last eight years.

"There is nothing here. Everything is becoming more internet-based.

"For a new business to be moving in is obviously a positive."

There are currently two empty units in Deansgate and about four vacant new shops in Church Street West.

Bury Council leader, Cllr Rishi Shori, said the Council is working to attract new businesses to Radcliffe.

He said: "This is disappointing news and provides another example of the difficult time that retailers of all shapes and sizes are experiencing at the moment.

"We are working hard to attract new businesses to Radcliffe, most recently Lidl, and will shortly be unveiling new measures to improve the look and feel of the town centre.”