A call has been made to do more to help struggling businesses in Farnworth as a regeneration project to transform the town gets underway.

Work began on the project last month, which will transform the area’s market precinct into a new hub for housing, businesses, and leisure.

Diggers and construction equipment have been seen in the town as the transformational plans get put into action.

But Farnworth councillor Nadeem Ayub said businesses in the area have been struggling with business rates and believes more support for them needs to be made available.

At a recent full council meeting, he said: “It’s great to see regeneration work has commented in Farnworth.

“We would all like Brackley Street and Market Street to flourish.

“I want to see Farnworth of old where families could come and shop and enjoy a bite to eat at coffee shops, restaurants, bakers and others.

“For businesses to prosper they ultimately need to remain profitable and be able to cover their overheads.

“However, one of the feedback items from the retailers of the past who have had to shut up show was that rents and business rates were too high and businesses could not afford to stay profitable and make ends meet.”

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In response, Cllr Adele Warren, cabinet member for regeneration at the council, said work would be done to attract more firms and support those already there.

She said: “Capital and Centric will be working with the council to attract the right businesses into this development.

“Businesses that will support Farnworth as an attractive place to list and visit.

“In regard to business rates I do acknowledge that smaller shops and business are under pressure.

“Those with a rateable value under £12,000 a year are exempt from business rates.

“The government’s review of rateable value rates means that businesses have seen their rateable value fall by 9.9 per cent in the North West.

“Bolton Council has been engaging with the local community in the masterplan securing significant investment into Farnworth and then onto the delivery of regeneration.”

Cllr Warren added that they would continue to promote Farnworth and the business space that existed there.

She said she would be working with officers to work with shops to make sure they worked with local shops and businesses to make their hard work a continued success.