By Cleethorpes traders respond to Councils social distancing plans
Traders in Cleethorpes have responded to North East Lincolnshire Council’s social distancing plans.
Business owners have expressed mixed opinions.
The plans were announced last week by North East Lincolnshire Council ahead of the planned reopening of non-essential shops on June 15.
Changes are expected to be made to Cleethorpes’ main shopping streets, including St Peter’s Avenue, Market Street and Sea View Street.
The changes will see some shopping streets pedestrianised, or converted into one-way systems.
St Peter’s Avenue will become one way for vehicles from Mill Road / Cambridge Street roundabout to High Street, and Market Street will become one way for vehicles from St Peter’s Avenue to Alexandra Road.
On-street parking bays will be suspended on both, with barriers installed to allow people to walk safely within the parking bays.
It is expected that loading bays will be maintained.
Sea View Street will be pedestrianised completely, but access to New Road will be maintained.
The Council said that given the urgency of the works, local businesses have not been consulted.
“We recognise that these plans will cause some disruption across the resort,” continued Councillor Swinburn.
“But we need to make sure that we’re doing what we can to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 whilst also encouraging people to shop in the high street. North East Lincolnshire is a great place, with enormous community spirit and strength.”
Now, Cleethorpes traders have responded to the Council’s social distancing plans.
Ian Stead, co-owner of Steels Corner House, said:
“We are seriously concerned about the impact these changes will have on the high street and restaurants in the area.
“They are going round now and talking to businesses and have promised to review it and keep reviewing it as time goes on.
“But we are concerned because the Market Place has 10 takeaways and food places and we need to be able to have parking available for people to come in.
“Nobody is going to park up 100 to 200 metres away from a takeaway and walk to us, or they might once but then they won’t do it again.
“It just causes extra hassle because they’re having to come into contact with a lot more people just to get to where they need to be, it makes no sense.
“We are keeping in contact with the council now for the foreseeable future, just to try and help keep them informed about how businesses are doing and how we’re being impacted.
“The problem is that the high street was struggling enough before this and now they are wanting to make it a lot harder for people to get into town and go shopping. I can see people being scared off by this, not wanting to come down and support local businesses.”
Many have said that while they are sure it will slow the spread of coronavirus, it will also be a nightmare for businesses, and will be likely to limit trade.
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