ROCHFORD’S popular Market Square is set to lose some of its parking spaces under improvement plans.

Rochford District Council wants to enlarge pedestrianised areas in the town square under plans for the development of the town centre and surrounding areas.

Proposals include paving over the majority of the square, which currently has 18 car parking spaces, with a smaller pay-anddisplay car park off West Street for ten cars, with the square’s taxi rank moving to Back Lane.

A second plan suggests the pavement around the square being widened and informal crossings placed between the square and the other side of West Street. This plan would see the loss of three car spaces.

The schemes, part of the town’s Area Action Plan (AAP), has met with disapproval from traders, who say any loss of parking in the square would kill trade in the town.

Carol Figg, manager of Bow Jangles Gifts on the square, said: “I don’t know why they would want to change it to be honest; I think it works well as it is.

“If I took a survey of all my customers they would all say no as well, because they wouldn’t be able to park here.”

Another trader, Emma Woods, who manages Miss Daisy Cards and Crafts, said the fact cars queue up to get in the square show its popularity.

She added: “This square needs to stay as it is, it’s unique. Taking away spaces will affect trade.

They’ve already taken some away in thepast toput more taxi spaces in.”

Residents however were keen on the idea of the extra pedestrian space.

Steve Ward, 52, who lives on the Square, said: “If they pedestrianised the square it would becomeavenue for the town. It would be nice to have a stage their where you could have live music.

“If you go about a lot of squares in Europe, they always have a community aspect about them which brings people to them.”