Mr Scott (left) discusses the Act with Mr Rigby.

Fears by local traders that the traditional "put it on the slate" system of credit would be abolished by a new government Act were allayed on Thursday, 21st August 1975, by the man who will be responsible for putting the Act into practice. But traders, already faced with ever-increasing costs, may have to pay out anything up to £60 for a licence before they can offer credit facilities. The licence bombshell was dropped at the annual meeting of Burnley and District Chamber of Trade when the guest speaker Mr Tony Scott, Director of Consumer Credit with the Office of Fair Trading, said that all traders connected with credit or hire will probably need a licence from the office of Fair Trading. But the heartening news for the traders was that they will still be able to give "tick" to their customers, without having a licence. The new Act is only concerned when interest is charged on the credit, and this, it is believed, will affect few traders in Burnley. Mr Gregg Rigby, president of the chamber, said afterwards: "Before the meeting I thought the new Act would mean the end of the "tick" system. But tonight's talk has allayed a lot of our fears."


A growth in membership of Burnley and District Chamber of Trade is the main aim of the chamber's new president, Mr Paul Willers who is managing director of Central Travel Services Ltd. At the chamber's annual general meeting on Thursday, 21st August 1975, Mr Willers said the chamber is for traders in Burnley and district and he would like to see more members from the surrounding areas, particularly Padiham. He said the chamber represents the interests of all its members at both local and national level, and gives first-hand information and knowledge to its members. Mr Willers, who will be president for two years, added that he would like to see more guest speakers at the meetings who can help and advise the traders. Another aim for the next few months is a "brighter shopping" campaign to brighten the lives of both shoppers and shopkeepers.

Mrs Mary Mays, owner of Margaret Stamper's dress shop, was made president elect. Mr Harold Pickles, of the Burnley Express, was elected treasurer and Mrs Anne Nuttall will continue as secretary.