DESPERATE traders hope that a bid for £2m of Government money could help turn around their struggling town centre.

Bishop Auckland Town Centre Forum has applied for funding through the Urban Renaissance Programme to make improvements to the north end of the town.

It is hoped that by developing that part of town, businesses affected by the loss of a town centre supermarket and roadworks could recover a crippling fall in trade.

Almost 50 people who run businesses in Bishop Auckland turned out for an extraordinary meeting of the town's Chamber of Trade and Commerce on Monday night.

The meeting was called in response to the complaints of many businesses who have seen a drop in business of around 20 percent in the last year.

The root of the decline is said to be traffic and parking problems.

Wear Valley District Council plans to introduce parking charges in the town but traders have called for a system that will free up central spaces for shoppers instead of workers.

The relocation of Asda supermarket, from the Newgate Centre to the former site of Wilson's Forge in South Church, has also reduced visitors to the town's main shopping area.

Traders called for moves to tidy up empty properties in Fore Bondgate, improve cleanliness of the paths and installation of attractive features or signs to draw people into the dying streets.

Bob Hope, director of regeneration for Wear Valley District Council, said: "I do hope more property owners apply for shop front improvement grants and general improvement grants that are available.

"I agree that the area has the potential to become more like The Shambles in York, which would be great for small businesses and we are trying to create plans that will encourage people to visit that part of town."

Developers are looking to redevelop the Go Ahead Northern bus depot and adjacent carpark into three retail units, which would help.

The good attendance at the meeting at The Queens Head Hotel, also safeguarded the future of Bishop Auckland Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

Mr York said: "I had been worried that it would be poorly attended, as previous meetings had only attracted about five people, which shows the need for the group.

"People now need to keep turning up and voicing their opinions to see that the things done in the town are what they want and feel will be of benefit to all our businesses."