Latest news with #ValUnwin
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Two-hour free parking begins after Tameside Council U-turn
Two hours of free parking has been introduced in parts of Greater Manchester following a council years ago there was uproar from shoppers and traders in Tameside after charges at 42 pay-and-display car parks were increased from £1 to £3.50 for three motorists voted with their wheels, and visits to one car park in Ashton-under-Lyne fell by 20%, with shops seeing their takings collapse. It led to a change of heart and the revised two-hour charge-free period now applies to all Tameside Council-run car parks from Monday to Saturday before 18:00 BST. Val Unwin, who runs Decisions Clothing in Ashton-under-Lyne, said: "It's the best thing that could have happened right now, the only downside to me is its taken longer than everyone would have liked." Karen Whelan, who runs Chicken BBQ in the town's Market Avenue, also said the decision had come too late."They should have done this from the start because people have gone elsewhere now so hopefully it might bring them back," she said."We hope it will bring them back."Council leader Eleanor Wills said the authority had "taken stock of the parking offer and reflected that, as it stood, it didn't meet the needs of people".She added: "This two hours will hopefully encourage people to come into town centres." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Town regeneration work hitting turnover
Building work to regenerate a town's market square has led to "significantly reduced" footfall, shopkeepers have said. Ashton-under-Lyne's fixed outdoor market stalls have been dismantled, temporarily leaving behind large piles of rubble. Val Unwin, who runs Decisions Clothing in the town centre, said her company's turnover had fallen 23% since work on the scheme began in November. Tameside Council said it was committed to minimising disruption for businesses during the work, which is expected to be completed in March. The outdoor market kiosks will be replaced with a large canopy, which is being built with the help of £20m from the Levelling Up fund. Ms Unwin's store is in Fletcher Square, where work is under way to build temporary outdoor market stalls. She said that while she was in favour of the redevelopment, the work was taking "too long". "It has really affected my business turnover," Ms Unwin said. "My shop is blocked off at one side - but when the work is done, I expect this will be a busy little area." The new covering will provide outdoor market traders with protection from the elements. The council hopes it will become a hub for cultural events in the town. Michael Barlow, who runs the Bow Street Cafe on the market square, said 18 months of growth in his business had "flatlined" since the building work began. "We're not getting new customers through the door," he said. Despite that, Mr Barlow said he was optimistic about the future: "The market redevelopment is a really good thing - but this is the worst part and it's worrisome." The council said the redevelopment would also bring high-quality seating, attractive planting, new paving, enhanced lighting and CCTV for the safety of shoppers. Julie Kelly has run the Sincerely Yours balloon and card shop for 26 years. "Since work started, I'm down 30%," she said. "They should've done this in the summer when people can still walk about. A lot of places will close before the work is finished." The indoor market hall in Ashton-under-Lyne is also set to be upgraded. £250,000 will be spent on changing its layout in the hope of bringing in a wider age range of customers by offering improved food and drink options. Councillor Stephen Homer, executive member for towns, transport and connectivity, said the redevelopment would "enhance the town's ability to host community events and provide an improved market offering". He also said the new market square would "attract further investment to make Tameside an even better place to live, work, and visit".
