A SPECIAL new 'one-stop' advice shop is planned for Chorley town centre.

If it goes ahead, the shop could bring together the Welfare Rights Service and County Information Centre, Chorley Citizens Advice Bureau, Chorley Local Enterprise Agency - and be used as a drop-in centre for Labour MP Lindsay Hoyle.

Council chiefs are modelling the plan on a similar set-up in neighbouring South Ribble.

The former AA offices on Market Street (pictured) have been identified for the project, set to be given the go-ahead by councillors this week.

Negotiations are taking place between Chorley Borough Council and the organisations concerned.

It is envisaged that Lancashire County Council will establish a Welfare Rights Service in the premises, employing two officers, one transferred from South Ribble.

The county council's County Information Shop would relocate from Union Street and Chorley Citizens Advice Bureau from St George's Street.

The CAB's current offices could be re-let by the borough council to Chorley and Wigan Groundwork Trust.

Originally it had been hoped to get Chorley Unemployed Centre in, but this idea was scrapped because the CAB needed the space, particularly for disabled accommodation on the ground floor.

Chorley Borough Council's sport, arts and community development sub-committee will discuss the scheme today (Thursday).

It was recommended by chief executive Jeff Davies to go ahead with the £36,500 plans.

However, Muriel Webber, manager of Chorley CAB, said negotiations were far from finalised, but admitted: "We are always looking for new premises, we have been for years.

"We welcome the borough council proposals in the sense they are obviously thinking about us and inviting us to take part in negotiations."

Councillor Simon Jones, a member of the CAB management committee, said there were reservations about space and also added that he had been fighting for more outpost advice workers in Chorley villages.

But he commented: "I definitely support one-stop advice shops."

MP Mr Hoyle said: "Yes, I'm going in. It means we will be all in one building which makes sense. At the moment I'm based in Adlington and it is just that bit too far.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.