TOWN centre leaders are contesting claims that despite revival efforts, backed by Mary Portas, there are more empty shops in Nelson.

BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme commissioned research on the 12 ‘Portas’ towns, which each received £100,000 to turn around their fortunes.

And it was claimed 10 out of the 12 locations, including Nelson, had more vacant shops than before the exercise. But council leader Coun Joe Cooney said researchers had considered a much larger area than Nelson town centre, although he admitted there was a ‘challenge’ with empty units.

He said: “Overall Nelson is improving with other key companies such as Liberata and Farmhouse Biscuits, situated in the town centre, growing and creating more footfall.”