Barry Hartle said: "Get rid of all the big supermarkets, bring everything back to the high street and the one to one customer interaction."

Derek McNaughton said: "How do you solve it? Zero rent and rates for the first year, then phase the charges in at 25 percent a year. That way, a business start up will not pay full rates for five years, and will have every opportunity to establish a profit making business, that will pay them wages, pay tax, and keep people employed. The empty stores are taking zero money for councils at the moment, so they have nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Dave J Taylor said: "Bring down shop rent."

Alan Davis said: "Entice shoppers to the town centre with free parking."

Sheila Batty said: "That is what used to get me mad. When the big supermarkets came they got rates free for first three years. Big car parks, parking free. And corner shops had double yellow lines put outside. So we were not only paying rates, the traffic was being encouraged to go to them. Look at your side streets now. How many have double yellow lines in front. The only reason they appear to be paying less rates is because the supermarkets etc have to pay now."

Elaine Ferguson said: "Pay as you go out so that you are not rushing around - whether it is 30 minutes or a couple of hours... Just pay for what time you were there for. They do this in Blackpool. It is cheaper to park next to the MEN at Manchester than to park in Barrow."

Raymond Searle said: "The town has had it."

Martin Cairns said: "Ask who ever owns them to charge less rent and the council to lower rates."

Kerry Griffin said: "Is there a reason why the little side streets are doing better than the main street?"

Linda Laing said: "How many people here shop online? Supermarkets were the first nail in the coffin and then came online shopping. It really was 'use it or lose it''... It is very sad but I think Dalton Road is finished."