Calls to support Tenbury Wells traders during bridge closure

A call has gone out to people in Tenbury Wells to support the town's shops and businesses while the Teme Bridge is closed for £1 million repairs.

Traders in the town centre have seen takings drop since the bridge closed on January 9 – despite temporary car parks being set up in a bid to entice shoppers and visitors to the town.

Initial problems with a temporary car park on the Burford side of the bridge, which saw the car park fill up with cars belonging to traders before 9am on the day the bridge closed, have now been resolved.

And officials at Worcestershire County Council today said work on the bridge was due to finish on schedule to allow the bridge to reopen on March 16.

Councillor Ken Pollock said: "The level of trade in the town is worryingly low."

Sarah Thompson, chairman of Tenbury Chamber of Trade, said: "We need to advertise the fact that Tenbury Wells is open for business."