A COUNCIL deputy leader has stressed it currently only plans to knock down one of the pavilions outside a town market hall as he gave more details of plans to improve it.

Hyndburn borough's environment boss Cllr Paul Cox said the latest proposals followed consultations with traders and the public.

On Wednesday the council's planning committee approved the demolition of the pavilion outside Accrington Market Hall to create a a new outdoor open space accommodating 52 parking spaces.

Councillors raised concerns about where the traders using the structure would go, in particularly the town's only wet fish stall.

Cllr Cox said: "The submitted scheme, which Planning Committee agreed this week, continues to build on the redevelopment and creation of our new town square in front of the Town Hall, Market Hall, improvements along Broadway and the Market Service Yard, plus the ongoing work to many of the heritage building facades along Blackburn Road.

"This next phase involves removing some excess capacity to create a smaller, more bustling outside Accrington Market which will ultimately re-expose the impressive side façade and original main entrance to the Market Hall.

"Working with the existing outdoor traders, and taking on board comments from the public, we have decided to only remove one pavilion at this time to both reduce capacity and allow us to revamp the remaining pavilions and resurface Market Way.

"The market team are working closely with our existing traders to discuss suitable new locations."