News Release

23rd February 2007

MEETING WITH LICHFIELD TRADERS

Michael Fabricant met with over 30 concerned local traders on Friday 23rd February at McDonald's in the Market Square in Lichfield to discuss disruption due to City Centre construction work. Michael brought with him Cllr Neil Roberts (who has cabinet responsibility for the work on Lichfield District Council), Andy Haynes (the Council officer in charge of managing construction projects) and Matthew Bowers (the Council officer in charge of the City Centre refurbishment project). Representatives from the Lichfield Chamber of Trade and the Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry were also in attendance.

Michael Fabricant says: "The number of people who attended the meeting clearly demonstrated the strength of feeling over the disruption to business caused by the work though most traders present recognised that the centre of Lichfield will be much improved after its completion. This will increase trade in the summer. A number of practical points were raised at the meeting including the need for construction work to be properly tidied up each day after completion, the need for continuous safe pedestrian access to businesses, and the desirability to complete the work as quickly as possible. I am sure these issues will be addressed by the Council. 'Hotline' phone numbers were distributed to traders so that when specific problems arise, they know immediately whom to contact to ensure swift rectification of the situation. For example an incident was cited when access to a florist was blocked for part of St Valentine's Day - their busiest period! Use of the hotline could have prevented this."

Other suggestions included the implementation of a temporary speed limit for City Centre vehicles while these works are underway and reduced car parking charges.

A number of traders asked what compensation could be made available for loss of trade. Cllr Neill Roberts suggested traders write to the District Valuer who is empowered to reduce the business rate if it can be shown that trade has indeed suffered due to the ongoing construction work. Michael agrees and says "The more traders who write to the District Valuer, the greater chance they will have to receive some compensation."

There was also a general discussion on the need for greater car parking in Lichfield and the importance of keeping access to roads like Dam Street open for emergency vehicles. All these points were noted by Council officials.