Traders voice concerns over town centre work

A number of town centre retailers have made it clear that they want work on the Public Realm scheme to be carried out at night - or not at all!

That was the news brought to a Council committee meeting last week by the borough’s Economic & Tourism Development Manager, Sean Trainor.

He said members of the public who attended the first of two drop-in sessions allowing people to talk directly to the contractor were largely positive about the scheme.

However, five retailers who turned up were “very concerned” about potential disruption to their trade, he said, stating: “They don’t want work to begin unless it is going to take place at night. It wasn’t the design or detail that was the issue. They don’t want the scheme to take place if it’s going to disrupt business.”

Cr Audrey Wales, a former shop owner, said: “I can appreciate their worries...what can we do to make sure this does not happen during our scheme?”

Mr Trainor said: “The contractor is under the control of a very professional team. They will be heavily controlled and retailers will be given priority.”

It was also pointed out that contract requirements include - that access to shops will not be obstructed, work required outside shop fronts will be completed after trading hours, no heavy plant will be permitted to park on the street, works limited to 50m stretches and barriers will have floral displays.

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