Hopes that rotunda work will 'open up' town centre

Butcher, Joe Neate, said he hoped the project would entice more shoppers to the town centre

Work is under way on a major project to help "open up" a town centre.

The rotunda at the end of the High Street in Westbury, Wiltshire, is currently being transformed and businesses hope it will help attract more customers.

It is part of a wider plan - costing £250,000 in total - to regenerate the town centre through the work of the town council's Vision for Westbury committee and is set to be completed by the end of the year.

Town councillor, Mark Bailey, said: "The old rotunda was quite a high-sided structure. You couldn't tell if someone was already inside and it only had one entrance - which made people a little insecure using it. The new rotunda will be a lot more inclusive."

Work on the new rotunda is due to be completed in December

Joe Neate runs Butcher Bros, located at the edge of the rotunda, with his brother Patrick.

"We are hopeful the new rotunda opens the town centre up a little bit and attracts more people to local businesses," he said.

Mr Neate said the building work had not put off customers so far, adding: "If anything, people are actually being brought closer to the shop."

Sarah Curry, of the nearby White Horse Cafe, also hopes the project will entice more shoppers to the town centre.

"Before, you couldn't see much in the rotunda except a few flowers. Being levelled out, I hope people can get a bit more from it.

"Hopefully this will make a difference," she added.

Angela Parker has concerns about cars passing the new rotunda

However, Westbury resident Angela Parker, who has lived in the town for 20 years, raised a concern about the new design.

She is worried about children playing at the new space as she feels it is more exposed to traffic, due to having lower walls.

Ms Parker said: "The only downside I've got is the safety aspect. Cars are going to come down here and who knows if they'll go the speed limit."

Westbury Town Council said the new design has been discussed and considered by Wiltshire Council traffic safety officers.

Mark Bailey, of Westbury Town Council, hopes the new rotunda can be used for events

Cllr Bailey said: "Although the walls are lower than before this means they offer greater visibility for drivers and pedestrians and they are constructed of granite block and so are extremely robust.

"People have said in the past that Westbury is getting tired. I don't think that is really true anymore.

"This is a major investment in the centre of the town. The good news is all money has been raised through grants and community infrastructure level. It's not going to impact on anyone's council tax or the council precept."