[garinda]

Originally Posted by Gayle

Can't see why you think I'm sitting on the fence here - I've clearly stated that I support the changes.

I also believe that it will cause the town to suffer. But let's stop and think about the town centre for a minute. Are you all back in your rosy haze about the wonderful town centre that we had thirty years ago or are you actually talking about today's town centre? Because in my opinion the town centre is already dead in its current format.

What is needed is the following:-
An huge influx of development money into the town centre
Some creative thinking that moves away from traditional town centre approaches
Improved bus routes and development plans to alter the routes to the new retail park
A design approach to making the town centre 'look' better - and by that I don't mean just flowers (although not criticising them) but someone who can improve fascias and shop fronts
Something that is an attraction in the town centre - whether it's specialist book shops like Hay, arts stuffs like Hebden bridge or a farm in the centre - something that sets it apart
Creative events in the town centre each week i.e. music, buskers, jugglers etc - all things that enhance the liveliness of the town
Knock a few buildings down in the town centre to open it up and build a better bus station and a more open vibrant market

The town centre is already dead so instead of trying to rebuild it just like it was (that's no longer viable in today's market) do something different.


I think I have enough opinions here to safely say that I am nowhere near the fence at the moment!

Since you are no longer sitting on the fence (), which buildings would you knock down?