Boots Corner Row over closure is ‘as divisive as Brexit’
BUSINESSES which have lost customers since the trial closure of Boots Corner began are being told their “data is incorrect”, the manager of Cheltenham’s largest shopping centre Regent Arcade has claimed.
Scott Lahive, the store manager of the retail centre, also said the pilot road closure scheme is “as divisive as Brexit”.
Mr Lahive added that Cheltenham Borough Council must “listen to both sides of the argument, not just one” as tensions between members of the public and the authority rumble.
The temporary scheme has seen Clarence Street closed to unauthorised vehicles since June 28 last year as part of the town’s transport plan. The road had 13,000 cars travel on it daily before the trial and was predominately used as a through-route.
Councillors voted to extend the trial until late 2019 on Monday, January 21, by a majority 17.
Mr Lahive said the council must “make getting into the town easier, not harder” as nationally retailers are feeling the crunch of a changing high street.
His remarks come as councillor Tim Harman (Park), Conservative group leader at the borough council, told the packed council meeting that Mr Lahive emailed saying the road closure has had a “detrimental impact on trade”.
Mr Harman added that two other large businesses in Cheltenham are feeling the bite, but did not confirm which ones.
Recent data released by Gloucestershire County Council showed some roads have seen up to a 35 per cent increase in cars since the closure began last year.
But the county council said that phase 4 of the Cheltenham Transport Plan - which includes Boots Corner trial closure - has “had a limited effect on the overall network to date”.
Statistics from Cheltenham Borough Council show that there has been an 85 per cent drop in traffic at Boots Corner, 700 additional pedestrian movements per hour and the number of cyclists has tripled.
Mr Lahive has called on the council to launch a full review into alternative routes for drivers in to travel across town to make the trial work.
Mr Lahive said: “Data collated since the start of the Boots Corner trial proves pedestrian movements in the town centre have changed greatly.
“While we are repeatedly told more pedestrians are crossing Boots Corner than ever before what is not being mentioning is the effect this is having on other parts of the town.
“The question we are asking is why are we making Cheltenham less accessible and harder to get in and out of at a time when national retailers are having a tough time?
“I want to stress and make it very clear we are not saying we want the Boots Corner decision reversed at this point in time. What we would like is for a discussion to commence on how traffic movements around the town can be improved and for this to form the next stage of the trial. Maybe there is an opportunity for it to be partially opened with just one lane of traffic and a reduced speed limit.
“We need to undertake a full review as soon as possible and provide more alternatives if this is to work.
“This local issue is becoming as divisive as Brexit so the council needs to be listening to both side of the argument not just one.
“At the moment it seems that businesses who have lost out are being told their data is incorrect. There is an urgent need to find a mutually beneficial solution for those for and against not just those for.
“The scenes witnessed at the chamber meeting on Monday show how strong public feeling is on this.
“Telling local people to keep their opinions to themselves and suggesting to suffering businesses that they are ‘deluded’ is not the way to deal with it. It could have been handled much better and the council should have taken something from the fact so many people turned up against the project.
“I’d like the council to show their softer side and work with all town centre stakeholders to find a solution.
“They need to accept not everyone is for this scheme and those who aren’t shouldn’t be punished for speaking up about it.”
Kevan Blackadder, director of the Cheltenham Business Improvement District, said that the reaction from businesses to the trial is “a mixed bag”.
“I think the businesses that are in certain parts of town and other businesses which see the bigger picture, actually are positive about things.
“Down at the Brewery Quarter they’ve seen an obvious increase in footfall which is because it is far easier to walk down there now.
“I think the reality is that people are still trying figure out the best way to come here and to go away again.
“Right from the start we not only needed signage that guided people around the town centre if they didn’t want to come here - motorists that were basically through traffic - but we also needed, and still need, better signage.
“It really is a problem for those people who think the only way to get across town is through the middle of it.”
The Gloucestershire Echo approached Cheltenham Borough Council for comment. leigh.boobyer@reachplc.com