Brighouse businesses never want to see barriers 'ever again'

Business owners in Brighouse said they do not want to see barriers in the town centre ‘ever again’.
John Murphy (left) and Oliver Blackburn (right) with fellow traders, who opposed the barriers placed in Commercial Street way back in the summerJohn Murphy (left) and Oliver Blackburn (right) with fellow traders, who opposed the barriers placed in Commercial Street way back in the summer
John Murphy (left) and Oliver Blackburn (right) with fellow traders, who opposed the barriers placed in Commercial Street way back in the summer

Since June, Commercial Street, which runs through the town centre, has been awash with orange-coloured barriers, with many businesses calling for them to be removed after arguing they were ‘crippling business’ because the public were ‘choosing to avoid the area’ to shop elsewhere.

Brighouse business owner Oliver Blackburn, who runs Websters Distinctive Furniture in Commercial Street, said shops do not want a repeat of the barriers, but want better communication with the council.

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Mr Blackburn, 28, said: “They were removed and footfall increased with so many people coming into our shops to congratulate us for standing up to the council.

Commercial Street Brighouse, with barriers removedCommercial Street Brighouse, with barriers removed
Commercial Street Brighouse, with barriers removed

“We simply don’t want any barriers up ever again. We want parking to remain the same on Commercial Street and surrounding streets.”

John Murphy, 42, owner of wine and cheese store Czerwik, on Commercial Street, said: “We think the council want to pederstrianise the town centre.

“If they do that it will be the death of Brighouse because cars parking outside the shops are valuable to business.”

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Mr Murphy and Mr Blackburn, with their fellow trades, are now bidding to campaign for free parking for at least half an hour throughout Commercial Street.

Mr Blackburn said the council need to understand motorists ‘contribute a large sum of money’ to Brighouse’s economy.

“Overall we want better communication from the council and to work together for the future of the town.”

Councillor Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Strategy, said: “We continue to do all we can to ensure our town centres across Calderdale are safe for everyone to visit and work in, while supporting local businesses and trade.

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“We’re continually reviewing and adapting our Covid-secure schemes as the situation develops.

"This includes the barriers in Brighouse, Elland and Halifax town centres, which we installed to expand pavements and create a safe space for social distancing at the start of the pandemic.”

The council said it has been monitoring overall footfall and car parking, and have now safely removed the barriers as people have become used to social distancing, but are urging the public to follow national restrictions and remain least at two metres apart.

“We’ll continue to review and listen to people’s feedback, and will introduce further measures if needed. We’ve used emergency government funding to buy more substantial barriers for possible future use in those parts of Calderdale that need them most,” said Ms Scullion.