People in Welshpool are being urged to help shape the future of their town. The town council is planning a series of consultations next month and October.

Council clerk Robert Robinson is urging people to take part.

“We want to look at ways of how we can develop Wels- hpool and find out what the townspeople want,” he said.

“We intend to put forward a series of proposals and will be asking people to give their opinions on each of the options available.

“People who attend these consultations will be asked whether the town’s market should remain inside the town hall or whether it should be relocated outside on the street, or even both.

“We will also be asking people their thoughts on the future of all three car parks in Welshpool.

“We want to know if Severn Stars and Berriew Street car parks should remain or whether they should be replaced with a taxi rank or bus station and have limited car parking.

“We also want to know what people would think if shops were to be built on Church Street car park.”

Other proposals would be put forward and form part of a regeneration plan.

It comes as a development on the livestock market has been approved, including a superstore, shops, a restaurant and car park.

Mr Robinson said: “The new retail development sho- uld be up and running by 2010 and we as a town council need to be doing all we can to revamp the town, whi- ch will help attract more peo ple and businesses into the area.

“If we are not careful and we don’t start doing things to improve the town centre, then the majority of people will end up going to this new development and may not even bother making their way into the town centre.”

Consultation dates are to be announced soon.