Traders worried over street revamp
shopkeepers say they will struggle to get deliveries when vehicles will be banned from station street area for five months
SHOPKEEPERS say they are worried they may struggle with deliveries during a proposed revamp of Burton’s Station Street after it was revealed vehicles will be banned from the area for FIVE MONTHS.
As part of East Staffordshire Borough Council’s seven-figure plans to regenerate the shopping route, vehicles will not be able to drive down the pedestrianised section from January to May next year, leading to concerns from traders it might be impossible for their shops to receive deliveries.
Many traders in Station Street in the section between High Street and Worthington Way do not have rear accesses to receive goods and must rely on the front doors, which has triggered concern if vehicles cannot access the road.
The pedestrianised part of the street is to be given a facelift, with smart new paving, trees and areas full of flower displays. The work is due to start in early 2019 and is part of a joint project by East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council.
The councils launched the Burton Town Regeneration Programme in 2017 in a bid to “improve the appeal of Burton to residents, visitors and businesses”. Borough council deputy regeneration boss Julia Jessel has said the project is something Burton has needed for a long time. She said: “We want to provide an area in the town centre which can be enjoyed by all and provide the right environment to encourage businesses and property owners to invest in the town.”
While some shops that span twostoreys, such as McDonald’s, have rear accesses, owners of ground-floor premises say they are worried for their businesses during the work.
Convenience store Yum Yums can only take deliveries through its front entrance. Staff member Jean Seabridge, 66, said: “We haven’t heard about the deliveries. We would oppose
that because it is the only way we get our deliveries through. We don’t have a back entrance so all our deliveries have to come through Station Street. I think shops will suffer.”
Jay Kabal, 42, owner of Divinci Clothing, gets deliveries every two weeks. He said: “I am intrigued that we haven’t had a face-to-face meeting with the council. We have had a newsletter showing us the plans but that is it. I wonder if the council will do an open day for shops? We have deliveries from the front. I think delivery drivers will have to park at either end of Station Street and probably have to walk with the deliveries but I know some will be on timescales and others will arrive early and the shops won’t be open. “We will have to make adjustments.” Shazad Hussain, owner of Good News in Station Street, said: “We have no rear access, so how can we trade? Are they going to compensate us if we have to close? We are 100 per cent for the council trying to do something and improve the town centre but we also have ideas on how it can be improved.”
Kiran Waura, owner of e-cigarettes store Vape, said: “We do have a back entrance but I often use my car at the front to drop off a few things. We cannot park at the back entrance so we have to park elsewhere.
“I don’t think it is very good.” Mykela Smalley, from the Restored furniture shop, said: “We have our deliveries through the back but anything we cannot fit there we have to bring to the front. We have deliveries Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the front. I don’t know whether we would be able to wheel our furniture through Burton Place shopping centre and whether it will be open at that time.” However, Harbans Singh, 50, owner of Burton Beds and Sofas, said he wouldn’t be affected by any bans on vehicle access, saying: “We have our deliveries through the back from Burton Place shopping centre car park. I think the regeneration will be nice. This is a really strong area for business but when it rains people don’t want to come down here.”
The council has said it will be able to provide shopkeepers with more information when the final stages of the closure have been approved.
A council spokesman said: “As mentioned in the press briefing we held with the Burton Mail in August, the project group is working toward starting the enhancements to the pedestrianised area of Station Street in early 2019 which will ultimately bring benefits to the businesses within the town centre. The road closure notification is an element that needs to be carried out as part of the planning process.
“The planning process remains ongoing and the project group will be working hard to mitigate any impact on the businesses and residents of Station Street. This will be communicated with them directly at the relevant time.”
When asked to clarify who will be allowed down Station Street during the closure, the spokesman said: “As already stated the project group is still in the planning process of the Station Street refurbishment.
“For safety reasons vehicle access will be removed for the duration of the works process but pedestrians will still be able to access the area. More information will be provided to the businesses, residents and public when it has been approved and is relevant to do so.”