Positive response to Saturday closure of Bridgnorth High Street

Bridgnorth market on Saturday 25 July 2020

The closure of Bridgnorth High Street on Saturdays to allow social distancing during market trading hours has received a positive response from many traders and shoppers in the town.

And, with High Street set to be closed for three Saturdays, Shropshire Council says it will do all it can to minimise any inconvenience, and gain the support of those who have been critical of the closure

High Street closed to vehicles for the first time last Saturday (25 July 2020), between its junctions with Whitburn Street and Listley Street, from 5am until 4.30pm – and will be closed at the same times again this Saturday (1 August).

The closure will allow the necessary arrangements to be made for continuing to comply with social distancing in Bridgnorth.

Following last Saturday’s first closure, comments from traders and stallholders included:

• “It was a great idea”.
• “it was calm, relaxed and I love the changes”.
• “What a lovely relaxed atmosphere and so much more room in Bridgnorth this morning. I love it”

And comments from visitors and residents on social media included:

• “I think it’s such a great idea and would welcome it to stay this way on Saturdays”
• “It was so much better in so many ways… great for shoppers and hopefully therefore more trade too.”
• “Came to Bridgnorth from Halesowen today was really impressed with the new market layout and pedestrianised street”
• “It was fab walking around today and I’m a local resident, felt very safe.”
• “It was wonderful walking in town today, thank you.”
• “Just visited the High Street on a Saturday for the first time in years. Genuinely nice experience, I hope this is a permanent arrangement.”

Steve Davenport, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

“Last week’s first Saturday closure went well and I want to thank all involved in ensuring things ran smoothly on the day. It’s great to hear positive feedback from traders and visitors. We know that this necessary closure will inconvenience some residents, shoppers and businesses, and council officers will be on site again on Saturday and will do what they can to minimise disruption – whilst ensuring that the market is laid out in a way that allows safe access to the market stalls and surrounding residential and business premises.

“If  people do have any concerns or questions about the work, we ask them to contact us so that we can look to address or answer them.”

The ‘No Entry’ at the junction of High Street and Cartway is to be suspended during this closure.

To report any issues or for further information, please contact Shropshire Council’s Customer Service Centre on 0345 678 9006 or email socialdistancingmeasures@shropshire.gov.uk.