were there so many vacant market stalls last Saturday? I estimated 15 per cent. Stall fees have been increased, parking fees in the town have risen, the stallholders from Wednesday Market have been moved around due to the re-paving of the area, which may take 20 weeks. Surely a month would do, with good management?

The re-vamp will cut down on car parking spaces to the detriment of local businesses.
I am beginning to think that our Conservative-led council has a death wish for the town centre, which is already overweighted with coffee shops, eating places and charity shops.

• 1 The proposed Flemingate large retail outlets will draw trade from the town centre, and there will be even more empty shops. The planned multi storey car park will be inadequate, for both shoppers and Beverley College students and staff.




• 2 The proposal to shut Flemingate crossing on the completion of the southern bypass will cause GRIDLOCK in the town. Armstrong Way, Railway Street and Lord Roberts Road with extra traffic, also the cars from the 118 new homes on the Flemingate site.




• 3 Selling the Grovehill site for a retail park would be the final nail in the coffin for town centre shopkeepers. There are already plenty of shops selling furniture, soft furnishings and bedding in the town and Swinemoor Lane. People can easily travel to St Stephens in Hull or Kingswood for the items. This prime site could be used for many other purposes for the benefit of Beverlonians.

The council must listen to the traders and people of Beverley and district, and not impose any more of their ill-thought out ideas on our town. So much money has been wasted on cycle track markings, speed humps, unnecessary and unsightly road signs which spring up all the time, extra grass cutting, mistakes made on our rubbish collection calendars (which is inexcusable and costly) and expensive surveys on paving Saturday Market which would hit shopkeepers with the proposed less parking spaces.

I could continue venting my feelings of frustration and deep concern. We must all write to the chairman of the council, Councillor Stephen Parnaby, and the Secretary of State before it is too late. We need to keep Beverley town centre vibrant with both shops and shoppers.

Pat Byass
High Eske
Tickton