Traders win work fight

Traders in Lichfield are celebrating after a paving scheme, which would have hit business over the crucial festive shopping period, was put back to the new year.

Shop bosses feared a repeat of the devastating loss of sales which struck the city centre last Christmas when a major car park was closed. Lichfield Chamber of Trade and Commerce urged traders to work together to push for the scheme to be delayed.

Now Lichfield District Council has agreed to start the scheme early in 2007. Trade and commerce president Richard Lewis said: "We are pleased that the council has decided to schedule the scheme for January.

"I am glad it has decided to do that because obviously traders will not be affected through the crucial Christmas period. We are very pleased that the right conclusion has been reached."

The scheme is expected to take around nine months. Market traders will be relocated during the work.

Mr Lewis added: "Obviously, there will be disruption through the city centre and we hope that it will be finished in time for the following Christmas."

The £1 million paving scheme will improve Market Square, Bore Street, Conduit Street and Tamworth Street.

Councillors will next month be asked to appoint a contractor to take the project forward.

Plans for the scheme are on show at the district council in Frog Lane planning reception and in the District Venture Exhibition room at Donegal House from today.

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