Word on The Street Autumn 25

In this issue, we take a stroll down Colne’s high street to chat with shoppers and business owners alike, getting the latest word on the street.

Meet…JANET AND BOB

Do you think Colne is a good place to live?

Janet: It used to be a good place to live. I moved here as an infant during the war with my mum. Back then, our neighbours took us under their wing and treated us like family. And after the war, we came to love Colne so much that we didn’t leave. Back then, there was a stronger sense of community where everybody felt like family. But that’s gone; there’s still a lot of friendliness in the town, but it’s not like it was. It’s sad, but it’s just not the same anymore.

Bob: I remember one New Year’s Eve back, we’d been to the Imp, and were walking up through the town from the last train, we ended up doing the conga up the street. Everyone joined in. Regardless of who they were, everyone knew everyone, and it felt like family. There were different times back then. People keep to themselves nowadays.

What changes or improvements would you make to Colne?

Well, we’d build the bypass. Everyone talked about it for years, but it never came. The town’s traffic is awful, which must be affecting the shops.

We’d build new buildings that match the town’s original character, which would attract more visitors by preserving its charm. We’d make sure new buildings had decorative stone fronts and lovely details. That would help to bring back that old market town feeling. It would also be good to add some larger shops. It might even help to bring customers to the small shops.

How do you think Colne has improved?

It hasn’t. It’s lost all its character. The new market is terrible; the ugly corrugated metal roof makes it look like a factory. It’s nothing like a market town anymore. The latest market is taking ages to build, and it’s still not finished. They could’ve had modern facilities on the inside, but kept the outside looking traditional.

Plus, the banks have gone. Santander closed its doors last week, and now the nearest branches are Burnley and Keighley. Not everyone can get to them. There are a lot of shops closing too, and the traffic is a nightmare.

No, we can’t think of anything that’s actually got better.

Meet… EFFY

Do you think Colne is a nice place to live?

It’s okay, but it is not the same as when I moved here ten years ago; hopefully, it will improve again, though. Most of the people are friendly, but like many places, it has good points and bad points, and some problems that need addressing.

What changes or improvements would you like to see made in Colne?

The traffic is horrendous; all you can smell on Albert Road is burning clutches. I’m not sure how, but I think making some side roads one-way could help reduce traffic. I would also improve links with bigger towns. The trains and buses need to be improved; currently, you can’t even get a direct train or bus to Manchester. I would increase the police presence, especially in the evenings, as it doesn’t feel as safe in the town at night. We used to have more police; I’d like to see that again.

How do you think Colne has improved?

There seem to be more things to do than before, especially with my daughter, like the roller rink, and there are some lovely places to eat on Albert Road.

Meet… MARGARET AND BERNARD

Do you think Colne is a nice place to live?

We moved to Burnley from Barrowford a few years back, so we don’t live in Colne. But we can see why it would be a good place to live. We visit once a week for a bit of shopping and a coffee, so that says a lot. It’s a lovely place to spend time. It’s a lot like many northern towns; it’s friendly and welcoming.

What changes or improvements would you like to see made in Colne?

Well, there’s the football team (Bernard laughs, being a Burnley fan), but joking aside, the number of shops closing is bad, and a lot of small businesses are struggling to survive, so we need to find ways to support them and keep them going. Plus, the town is busy traffic makes it difficult to cross the road. We come to Colne once a week by bus, so we don’t have to worry about parking. However, you can see how busy it is with all the traffic, which needs looking at.

How do you think Colne has improved?

Well, to be honest, we wouldn’t say it’s improved that much lately. There have been quite a few shops and banks shutting down, which is a shame. But we were really pleased to see Oddies saved and back open again—that was nice! We’re hoping that the market development will be good when it finally reopens. Still, it feels like it’s been dragging on forever. It’s been more inconvenient than anything else. We’re not fans of the temporary market either. But maybe the new one will be worth it in the end.

Meet… VICTORIA

Do you think Colne is a nice place to live?

I moved here two years ago from Burnley, and I find the people really friendly. People talk to you. It’s not like Burnley; this town feels friendlier. I think it’s a good place to call home.

What changes or improvements would you like to see made in Colne?

I’d like to see bigger stores in the town — I have to go to Burnley if I want to get anything special, as there are no big shops up here. I understand they don’t want to harm the little shops, but it might actually bring more people in and help generate more trade for them as well.

The roads are bad for traffic, and that really needs improving. It must put people off coming into the town centre. I’m not sure what can be done, to be honest, but something needs to change.

I’d also like to see some nicer places to eat in the centre of Colne. There are some nice ones down Albert Road, but not in the town itself. Maybe a community café, with meeting space, would be lovely — somewhere to have a coffee and a chat.

How do you think Colne has improved?

It seems they’re trying to improve the shops in town. But probably the work they are doing on the market is the best improvement they’ve made; it sounds like it will be good when it’s finished. The events they hold in the town, like the food festival, are good.

Meet…HAZEL

Do you think Colne is a nice place to live?

I live in Barrowford, and I used to shop in Nelson, but I prefer shopping in Colne now. It’s nice and the people are great. I can understand why someone would live here.

What changes or improvements would you like to see made in Colne?

Perhaps it could have some bigger shops and more market stalls. They are improving the market, but I don’t think it will add any more stalls than we already have. It could be bigger. There are plenty of shops to visit, but no clothing shops here. So, I have to go down the hill to Sainsbury’s or Matalan if I want to look at clothes, but because I use the bus, I don’t really like going down there. So bigger shops would be lovely. But the traffic is terrible, so I’m not sure. That needs improvement, I know. I take the bus, but it is bad for traffic; it can take ages to get up Albert Road.

How do you think Colne has improved?

The market is probably the best improvement they have made, I mean, that’s probably going to be nice when it’s done. But someone said it might be after Christmas now before it opens.

Meet… JACQUELINE

Do you think Colne is a nice place to live?

Yes, I believe it is. There is some beautiful countryside all around; it is right on our doorstep. You are only minutes away from a lovely walk and picnic in the countryside.

What changes or improvements would you like to see made in Colne?

I’d try to get a bank back in town. I’d also look at improving the roads, and where possible, I’d hold events on Sundays instead of during the week or on Saturdays. That way, it wouldn’t interfere with traffic as much — and it can’t be good for the shops when customers are put off by sitting in traffic just to get there. Plus, it would give shop workers, who usually have to work Saturdays, a better chance to attend events with their families. These are meant to be family events, but Saturdays can make that difficult.

How do you think Colne has improved?

I don’t think it has, especially with the last of the banks closing. And the traffic is beyond a joke, especially when they close the roads off for events. It’s bad anyway, but that makes it worse.

Meet… DEREK

Do you think Colne is a nice place to live?

Yes — it’s a nice place to live. Colne is a good town, mainly because of the people. They’re all friendly. You don’t get that everywhere. It’s the people who make it a good place to live.

What changes or improvements would you like to see made in Colne?

The traffic is horrendous. I don’t drive anymore — haven’t for a long time — but even back then it was always bad, so it’s nothing new. They closed the railway to Skipton back in the seventies and, you know, I know they won’t put the railway back… but they could at least use it as a road bypassing the town. In my opinion, anyway. They’ve been going on about that for over 50 years now. I also think if the Council kept things cleaner — if the town was better cared for — maybe people would respect it more? I’ve noticed the same rubbish on the street that was still there from days ago. It never used to be so dirty.

How do you think Colne has improved?

Well, the market is being rebuilt and improved — I suppose that’s a good thing. But in my opinion, it was better the way it was back in the 1970s. They ruined the town centre by not preserving its old style, which could have made it a real tourist attraction. There were a lot of old buildings. The old market hall was great — lots of stalls, and the building was part of the town’s heritage. It’s still there on Dockray Street. But you can’t go back. I suppose now they’re trying to improve what they can, but I think it would have been better if they’d never attempted to modernise the town centre at all.

To share your views on Colne email – editor@northernlifemedia.co.uk

ColneLife Sep/Oct/Nov 25