There has been a good deal of gloom of late, with the problems of the global economy, the housing slum, rising fuel bills and much more besides.

In Fleetwood, a lot of gloom has descended following the sad demise of the town’s pier.

The loss of a nostalgic past coupled with a current lack of facilities for young people and families has added to the feeling.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, though.

The good news is that at least a large empty retail space in Fleetwood could soon to be empty no more.

Freeport has announced it wants to spend £5m on a new retail park in the former Somerfield store, vacant for more than a year.

There will be nine shops in the premises, adjacent to the main Freeport site, and the company is confident of attracting m ajor high street names.

They have now submitted a planning and retail statement to Wyre Borough and in it they forecast that the new shops will cater for a growing demand by shoppers and retailers wanting to come to the town.

A survey includes a list of shopping names who want to come to the Fleetwood area – Argos, WH Smith, Bodycare, Express Gifts, Pets at Home, River Island, Dreams household shop and clothing stores Jack Wills and Jones Bootmaker.

If it comes off, the retail unit will be a real boost to the local economy.

In such grim times, it is good to know that operations like Freeport are still keen to invest in the Fleetwood area.