Mixed emotions over revamp of 'patchwork paving'

Butcher Gary Alden hopes a new-look Prestongate will attract shoppers but he is worried about the short-term impact

Traders have given a cautious welcome to a £700,000 project to replace and improve paving on their street.

Prestongate, in Hessle, East Yorkshire, has been described as a "patchwork quilt" with damaged paving replaced by tarmac in recent years.

Mark Wilson, who owns Wilson's Fruit and Veg, said: "When it's done it will look great, but I'm worried how the work will hit our trade."

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said a consultation was ongoing and the work would be "considerate" and "minimise disruption to nearby businesses and properties".

Mark Wilson says the regeneration project is a positive move

The project is due to start in the autumn and will see new block paving, seating areas and planters, according to the council.

Mr Wilson, who displays produce outside his open-fronted shop, told the BBC he hoped the construction work would be done as "quickly as possible".

"It's been dug up so many times and the council were always having to come back to fix bits before they started using tarmac," he said.

"The work will have an impact on my trade so I'd like some clarity over how it will affect our businesses but, ultimately, it's a really positive step."

Gary Alden, who has run his butcher's shop for 33 years, said he was "absolutely delighted" to see new investment in the street.

He said: "The tarmac patches are an eyesore and it looks run-down. People want to go to places that look tidy and well kept."

Prestongate is at the heart of Hessle's shopping district

He added: "If Prestongate is doing well, it has a knock-on effect for every other business – the cafes, the pubs, and it's just good for everybody."

Shaun Hanson, the owner of Hanson Jewellers, said: "The plans look brilliant, because it is a mess at the moment. Any money that's spent in an area where you have a business has to be good.

"I just hope that when [the council does] the work that it's methodical and with minimum disruption. We've got to accept that there's going to be some pain to get the gain."

The owner of Mimi Boutique, Cheryl Clark, said previous work had seen dirt blown into her clothing shop and left her needing to replace the carpets.

She told the BBC: "We want Prestongate to look great. I just hope the council do the work in January or February when it's quiet.

"Independents are really struggling at the moment with rising costs. We need customers to enjoy their shopping and not be listening to a drill or getting covered in dust.

"If the disruption is going to be bad then I think I'd rather they left it as it is and we try to keep going and take some money."

Cheryl Clark says previous work in the street left her clothing store covered in dust

The council said it would consider feedback from businesses and residents before taking any action

A spokesperson added: "The construction phase will be considerate and be carried out in short sections to minimise disruption to nearby businesses and properties.

"Access will be maintained. However, there may be occasional delays to vehicle access due to the nature of the works."

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