Shops fear impact of traffic-free high street plan

Bournemouth has experienced a significant boost to its high street, with thirty-five new shops opening over the last 18 months following council initiatives targeting empty premises. Conversely, shopkeepers in Wantage have expressed fears regarding a proposed traffic-free high street plan. These business owners suggest that the implementation of pedestrianisation could negatively impact their trade, potentially forcing some of them to leave the town entirely as they worry about the resulting economic consequences.