FEARS are growing for the future of Paignton's ailing town centre as the number of empty shops continues to rise.

Traders, business leaders and councillors have expressed their concerns over the increasing numbers of empty retail outlets along Hyde Road and at Crossways shopping centre.

In Crossways, only 10 of the 33 shops are now occupied and businesses in the centre say they are losing money every week.

One claims it didn't sell a single product on a Saturday this month.

The situation isn't likely to be helped by the impending closure of landmark family-run store Rossiters, which has traded for 150 years in the town.

Christian Seiflow-Moran, Torbay Chamber of Commerce chairman, said traders needed to 'take responsibility' for the drop in trade and start being more 'innovative'.

"We cannot expect people just to come in to our shops if we don't change what we do or improve what's on offer," he said.

"For everyone who is doing badly there are some shop owners who are doing really well.

"Last week at Torbay Bookshop there was a very successful book signing with 600 plus people queuing up.

"If we are all innovative and improve our businesses then we stand a fighting chance," he added.

Mr Seiflow-Moran said he had met Cllr Chris Lewis to talk about parking issues in the town and they were in talks to discuss the options available to Crossways.

These included closing off the entrances and making into a mall.

He added: "Developers need to let us know what their long-term plans are. In the short term, we have discussed putting artwork in some of the shop windows which would look better than having empty shops."

Torbay Council confirmed it is trying to find a suitable developer for Crossways.

However, owners Paladu declined to speak to the Herald Express despite numerous inquiries.

Cllr Kevin Carroll, deputy mayor for Torbay Council, said: "We're trying to sort Crossways out. We're in talks with people to achieve this, and we'd love to see a positive conclusion.

"We know there's a problem there and we're doing our utmost to talk to the owner and developers to see how we can bring this problem to a conclusion that satisfies everybody.

"I met with the managing agent for the owners and he told me that they're more a residential developer than retail, and they're trying to decide where to go from here."

Christine Carter, councillor for Goodrington with Roselands, recently raised the issue at full council, suggesting mayor Nick Bye was inadvertently responsible for the centre's plight.

She said: "Is the mayor aware that one of the implications of the Mayoral Vision is that some small businesses in the Crossways shopping centre are having to close, or relocate at great cost, with minimal compensation?

"This is due to the owners of the freehold wishing to sell as the area is earmarked in the Mayoral Vision for a hotel and residential area."

Cllr Carter later added: "The result seems to be that the leases of a number of shops are not being renewed or new leases are only being offered for short periods of time.

"Not surprisingly, shop owners are close or having to relocate at great expense and being offered only small amounts of compensation.

"This part of Paignton is becoming a ghost town. I am sure that the mayor did not intend this to happen."

Ceri Ryan, district manager for YMCA charity shops, was upset that the organisation has been forced to close its doors in Crossways because it was losing money.

She added: "We've tried everything. We don't pay rent, just rates, but the footfall's so bad here we're running at a loss.

"We were here on a temporary let, which means we could leave when we wanted. It's really sad here.

"You've got all these people trying to make a go of it, but it's not possible.

"The footfall's terrible, and it's so dingy. There's nothing here at all for customers. Something's got to be done."

One of Crossways' last remaining shop owners, who didn't want to be named, said "We were open on Saturday and we took nothing.

"There was nobody around. It's embarrassing when people keep coming in asking when we're closing.

"We're not closing. We can't afford to. We've got a lease that we've got to honour. If we left now we'd have to pay it up, which we can't afford.

"So what do we do, keep running at a loss?"

Matthew Clarke, deputy chairman of the Paignton Chamber of Commerce, called for Paladu to release Crossways' traders from their long-term leases.

He added: "Crossways has become a blot on the retail landscape of Paignton. It should be demolished and rebuilt as something more appropriate.

"We'd certainly welcome interest in the site — the sooner the better. If the owners don't want that, then they should at least tidy the site up."

Crossways Chamber and Torbay Development Agency and Innovation Centre are holding a course at Torquay's Imperial Hotel in October to offer advice and guidance to local retailers and hospitality people on how to improve their businesses.

The guest speaker is former Olympian Dennis Reid, now a retail specialist, who helped turn around the fortunes of Marks and Spencer.

For details, call 01803 540 500 or e-mail info@torbayinnovationcentres.co.uk