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 supermarket and roadworks could recover a crippling fall in trade.

Almost 50 people who run businesses in Bishop Auckland turned out for a 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 about 20 per cent in the last year.

At 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.

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 car park into three retail units, which would help draw people to the north.

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