Regeneration 'killing town trade'

Struggling Wellington traders fear the multi-million pound regeneration of their town will "kill" its historic market, it was claimed today.

Traders at Wellington Market say they have suffered a loss of trade since the onset of the recession.

Part of the regeneration work will see the closure of the archway in Larkin Way and traders claim this will lead to shoppers bypassing the market for the town centre, effectively killing off passing trade.

Workers at market stall Bloomers, who did not wish to be named, said they had seen a significant loss in trade since the regeneration work started and claimed it would "kill" the market.

Another trader said she encouraged the regeneration of the town but said it seemed to be coming at a big cost to the market.

She added: "You should not be able to look at the market on a Saturday afternoon and not see a single person, but that is what happened last weekend."

"Trade is lower this month than it has ever been."

But Dave Riley, president of Wellington Chamber of Commerce rejected the claims.

He said the future was as bright as it had been for 30 years in Wellington.

He said he had spoken to one trader in the town whose profits were higher than they had been for seven years, and claimed the relocation of up to 250 council jobs as part of the redevelopment would further boost profits in the town.

Tim Ward, spokesman for the Wellington Market Company which runs the market, said: "We are aware that the market seems to be struggling."

He added: "We will do all we can to support the market though this transitional period."

The £8.5 million Civic Quarter development will include a new registry office, a modernised library, refurbished leisure facilities and new office space.

Market Square and New Street will also be repaved and have new lighting, with work starting there next month.

• Are you a trader in Wellington? Are your profits being hit by the regeneration work, or are they higher than they have been 'for seven years'? Tell us in the comment box below.

By Holly Evans