Fears Skipton market "won't survive" without the high street road closure
This week is the first without the pedestrianisation of Skipton High Street
There's fears Skipton's market won't survive without the high street road closure.
It's after North Yorkshire County Council refused to extend the closure of Skipton High Street on market days for another three months.
This week is the first full market day without the closure, which traders and shoppers have been dreading.
Mark Howard is one of those traders. He's had a stall there for over 36 years.
He said: "I've spoken to shoppers and they've said that the pedestrianisation is good for them and that it gives them a more enjoyable shopping experience.
"If the tourists don't enjoy it they're not going to come back and shop with us. It's not just us that benefit, it's the other shop owners, cafes, pubs, the castle.
"I feel like this is a step back because cities and towns throughout the country are making their markets pedestrian-friendly and we're not. People want a clean air environment but we're going to be going back to a busy road with diesel fumes which myself and shoppers will be breathing in.
"A lot of people come for a chat, not just to shop. People like the hustle and bustle and it's a fantastic atmosphere but we're going to lose that."
Former Mayor of Skipton and Craven District Councillor Peter Madeley had asked for an extension of the road closure on market days until Christmas so that Skipton Town Council could carry out its ongoing survey into the market and how it needs to change, but it was turned down.
Cllr Madeley, said: "With the closure it's more of a shopping experience and the traders like it. They're having better days, it's easier to sell and it is safer.
"It's been an overwhelming success for the last few months. We are asking for the County Council to look at it and say 'This is something we need to look at with everybody getting involved and we need to get it right'. If we don't get it right then the market will not survive.
"Traders that have been on here for 35 years, once they finish it'll be very difficult to fill those spaces and I do not want Skipton to become a carpark where the market once was."
In a statement, North Yorkshire County Council Highways Area Manager, James Malcolm, said:
“The temporary closure of Skipton High Street was introduced to enable the market to continue to operate under social distancing measures imposed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Those restrictions have been relaxed and all restrictions were removed in August.
“The closure disrupted deliveries to town centre businesses, bus services and school transport services. With that in mind, the start of the new school term on 6 September was seen as an appropriate date to cease the road closure.
“In addition, road works on The Bailey for the housing developments started in August and will continue for a number of months. These require full closure of The Bailey for at least seven weeks for drainage works. There are significant utility works planned and then, in spring and summer next year there will be major work on Broughton Road, Swadford Street and Coach Street, which will require High Street to remain open.”