Market traders in Tunstall shared their thoughts on plans set to "create a high-quality public space" focused on Tower Square and improving access to Tunstall's High Street. 

On Monday, Stoke-on-Trent City Council revealed £6 million would be spent on "transforming" the town centres in Stoke, Tunstall and Burslem. 

In Tunstall, the money is to be focused on connecting key areas of the town like the High Street, Tower Square, Butterfield Place and Alexandra Park shopping area and creating a public space for the town focused on Tower Square and the Clock Tower.

However some stallholders trading in Tunstall said they would also like to see money being spent on repairing crumbling derelict buildings and additional free parking to encourage people to visit the town beyond the retail parks. 

Becky Berrisford, of The Community CAN Social Supermarket in Tunstall Market, said: "You walk down the High Street and it's horrible, it's derelict, it's rotting. 

"Someone has mentioned pedestrianising but I don't agree with that because that is stopping people from coming in to us who have mobility issues. 

"What we need to do is rip out the parking meters as they're charging people to park when they're just nipping in to get something. 

"It needs to be like the car park to the side of the market where there is 30 minutes for free." 

"At the end of the day the council are going to do what they want to do and saying that they want residents' view points is just a way of making people think they are participating in the decision making process."

Currently drivers can park up to 30 minutes for free on the Butterfield Place car park next to the market building but the Tower Square car park starts at 60p for 15 minutes.

Other traders shared similar frustrations with the state of the High Street but welcomed any links potential plans would introduce between Alexandra Park and the High Street. 

The council want to create a high-quality public space for the town focussed on Tower Square and the Clock Tower. (Nub News)

The council hope the plans for Tunstall will help attract extra footfall and boost business activity. 

Julie, of The Wright Occasion, said: "It's the closed down shops that are the eyesore not the square. It doesn't do us any favours if people have nothing to come to this side of the town for. 

"Everything is focused on Alexander Park and the retail parks."

Others were sceptical that improvements to public spaces would bring more footfall to the town. 

Pat Pye, of Stanfield's Fruit and Veg, said: "The place needs tidying up as Tunstall High Street is a disgrace. They should be making the road two way for cars again and the closed shops are disgusting, it's dirty. 

"They should make parking free and they have already changed the space next to the market and it looks nice but no one uses it. 

"It's alright putting trees in and stuff like that but no one uses it - it's just a waste of space."

Sharon Kent and Pat Pye of Tony Stanfield's Fruit and Veg. (Nub News)

Sharon Kent, also of Stanfield's Fruit and Veg, said: "I agree they should make the parking free.

"They have had a few events in the square at Christmas and other times but it depends on the weather if people turn out or not. 

Pat of Pat's Haberdashery & Wool said: "All we have on this side of the town in addition to the market is the Post Office. There is nothing else - it's all shut shops. 

"They've done a fantastic job regenerating the other side of the town but we need something on this side because there is no need for people to come over."

Pat of Pat's Haberdashery & Wool. (Nub News)

The city council has a consultation period for residents in Tunstall to share their thoughts on what should be included in the plans. 

Cllr Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for Transport, Infrastructure and Regeneration at the city council, said: "The regeneration proposals we have set out will improve the economic viability of the towns, help better link key parts of the towns and are being developed to complement the other exciting project work taking place."

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READ MORE: Plans proposed to redevelop Stoke-on-Trent Triumph motorcycle warehouse

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