Town centre improvements 'disruptive' for businesses

Traders in a Herefordshire town have said months of roadworks in a town centre had been "disruptive" and caused a major downturn in business.

Work to update roads and pavements in Leominster town centre as part of a £3m improvement scheme was due to finish last Autumn, but had been hit by delays.

Mark Parry, from Parry's Fruit and Veg, said the disruption from the works had been "quite horrific", with customer access to the shop and deliveries the main issue.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson confirmed the works had now finished.

"They started in May so we've lost all summer trade, the Christmas trade, so yeah it's been pretty bad," Mr Parry said of the scheme.

"The footfall had dropped right down when they were doing the roadworks."

Max Gillings, from the Flying Dutchman cafe, added the works had been "disruptive".

"There's a lot of challenges with it, there's lots of issues with getting supplies, stock, because you couldn't drive through the square at all," he explained.

"One of my biggest problems I had was my bins, I couldn't get my bins emptied which is a problem if you're a cafe."

As part of the works, Leominster market had to be moved from Corn Square to Etnam Street car park.

Traders told the BBC they had been advised they could return to the square, but had yet to be given a date.

John Sterling, who has been working at the market for 23 years, said business was down due to the roadworks and takings had fallen to 20-30% of their normal level, but had since picked back up again.

Gill Frost, from Drapers Lane Antiques and Coffee added the roadworks had been worth it as roads and pavements had improved "immensely".

"There's a lot of mobility problems in Leominster and I feel having the wider pavements has helped. It's easier," she added.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.