Traders in a Shropshire market hall have voiced their concerns over the impact that roadworks and traffic wardens are having on business.
Shrewsbury Market Hall traders say they have seen a dramatic fall in revenue and claim traffic diversions and increased warden presence are damaging a once-thriving market arena.
Market bosses say takings were down 10 per cent in the first week of the roadworks, rising to 25 per cent.
Lin Tinsdale, 60, from Nantwich, has run a successful flower stall in the hall for 17 years but fears the current problems may be difficult to reverse.
She said: “The traffic system is hurting business and there is no passing trade. People are frightened to come in because of the tough parking restrictions, nobody is willing to wait.”
John Williams, who has run a butchers stall in the market for 40 years, said: “It’s crazy and absolutely nonsensical. The council doesn’t seem to understand.
“Parking is so expensive and all the confusing road diversions are basically saying go to Telford.”
But Mr Williams said traders wanted to remind people to support their local market. He added: “We know that out-of-town shopping is here to stay, but this market has the personal touch with traders who know a lot about the products they sell.”
Trader Melvyn Ling, of Cook and Carve, said: “There are so many different stands here that sell products at a competitive price. If you like the taste of quality, then come to us.”
Kate Gittins, Shrewsbury Market Hall manager, said: “We have noticed a significant drop in footfall and the takings are down. It’s got progressively worse in line with the new road works. They were down 10 per cent in the first week and 15 per cent in the second and last Friday, they said they were down 25 per cent.”
Shropshire County Council’s assistant director for transport and highways, Phil Crossland, said: “We are extremely keen to work with businesses to minimise the inevitable disruption caused by these works.”
Sandy Harper, of ParkRight, said: “They do not know ParkRight is affecting their business. They have nothing to substantiate that.
“ParkRight only takes action against people parking illegally so that is nothing to do with their business. We have provided them with an additional loading bay at the Bellstone end of the Market Hall.”
By Jamie Smith
Loading ...
7 Comments
I went shopping in Telford this weekend in preference to coming into Shrewsbury. I paid £1.00 to park all day, and everything was there for me with no long queues or clock watching to make sure I got back to the car in time. If the council think that the roadworks aren’t putting people off then they must think again. They even had the chance to have a Primark in the town where the old C&A was, but turned them down on the grounds that they would ‘lower the tone’ well once the place is turned into a ghost town at least they can say it is a high class one with nobody in it and no jobs.
how much longer are these roadworks going on for. for a complete change, try wellington indoor and outdoor market, it is terrific
We have a shop on Dogpole and I have had to close a few times a bit early as the headach it has given me.
We have been here 8 years and if this change in Shrewsbury keeps going on we will be forced to close.
The Council has to much money to waist none of the paths realy needed doing did they?
Shrewsbury town will end up as residential and no shops is this what everyone wants?
Why are the council trying to put people off visiting Shrewsbury. They must promote the town not try everything they can think of to prevent us using our town. (congestion charging- now abandoned, traffic wardens and the new one way system- soon to be abandoned)
Only once have I visited the town centre since the road works started and that will be the only time. The County and Borough councils don’t care who or how people suffer, whether businesses or the man in the street.
It is a complete shambles with the usual standard of local government planning.
I really despair.
WHY OH WHY cant the authorities just LEAVE THINGS ALONE !!!
stop fiddling with roads etc.
The traffic will sort itself out.
Lets just get on with it for a change, before it’s all too late, and nobody comes to shrewsbury
I can’t believe the arrogance Sandy Harper is showing in her flippant comment in the above article.
Sandy Harper, of ParkRight, said: “They do not know ParkRight is affecting their business. They have nothing to substantiate that.
Well Sandy - around 6pm in April, I popped into a town centre off licence to buy a bottle of wine on the way home - my vehicle was parked out of the way of traffic outside said off licence - and yet before I’d finished my purchase, one of your parking assistants was walking towards my vehicle and clearly writing out a ticket- the car had been parked for less than a minute at this time.
Despite the fact that my debit card was left in the machine - I cleared the shop and my car in record time.
As a customer - I can see why people are put off making quick purchases in Shrewsbury town centre.