Plans to pedestrianise part of Saturday Market in Beverley to create outdoor seating for cafes, bars and restaurants

An 18-month trial which will see part of Saturday Market in Beverley pedestrianised will start in April.
The council is planning to pedestrianise part of Saturday Market in BeverleyThe council is planning to pedestrianise part of Saturday Market in Beverley
The council is planning to pedestrianise part of Saturday Market in Beverley

Businesses have shown overwhelming support for the plans which will see outdoor seating areas created in the area between The Grapes pub and the King’s Head pub.

A consultation last summer involving 30 local businesses saw 93 per cent support the scheme in principle.

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Beverley Civic Society also supports the idea, which will see the outdoor area marked out using planters, but believes a park and ride is needed to help ease congestion, as more people are visiting the town.

A plan of the area to be pedestrianised in a trial from AprilA plan of the area to be pedestrianised in a trial from April
A plan of the area to be pedestrianised in a trial from April

Honorary secretary Chris Burrows said: "We think in general terms it's a good idea, it helps bring people to town.

"There will be more space for people to sit around and enjoy the atmosphere on market days and festival days such as the Christmas Market.

"During the pandemic we've noticed more people coming to enjoy Beverley even though the venues were closed.

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"For it really to work we need the park and ride in operation. We are a non political organisation. One concern is that at the end of the trial period, the park and ride still won't be in operation under the current proposals.

The pedestrianised area will be between The Grapes pub and the Kings HeadThe pedestrianised area will be between The Grapes pub and the Kings Head
The pedestrianised area will be between The Grapes pub and the Kings Head

"We welcome people to come to Beverley but it's only fair that when they come they have some means of parking and it's unfair on residents if they can't park close to their homes.

"As a very popular historic market town we do need more provision for parking and cities like York seem to have a successful park and ride."

East Riding Council officers are working on detailed designs and taking the scheme through the Traffic Regulation Order process, following a successful funding bid to the Department of Transport’s Active Travel Fund.

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Councillor Victoria Aitken said: “After an overwhelming endorsement from businesses and local stakeholders last year, we are excited at the potential that this proposal can offer to Beverley town centre, especially in light of the pandemic’s effects on the local economy in the past year.

“We know it could create more space for safe social distancing in the town centre, create an area, in time for the warmer months, for outdoor seating for the businesses between The Grapes and the King’s Head, increase the time visitors spend in the town centre, and generally improve town centre safety through a route connecting Toll Gavel with Dyer Lane, Ladygate and the north eastern side of Saturday Market.”

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