TRADERS have told town centre planners how they need to improve Colchester.

They had their say during an exhibition at Lion Walk Church outlining projects in the pipeline.

Business owners welcomed the proposals, and said the town needed cheaper parking to utilise its heritage and improve transport links.

The “We believe in a better town centre” exhibition was organised by Colchester Council and Colchester Retail and Business Association.

The town centre will get a reported £500million investment in years to come, including the development of the St Botolph’s Cultural Quarter and the Vineyard Gate shopping centre.

It is possible the High Street could be pedestrianised in some form, and traffic flow changed in the surrounding streets to ease congestion.

Alan and Madeleine Edwards, owners of Eld Lane-based chocolate shop Minerva, said they were pleased there were plans in the pipeline to improve the town.

Mr Edwards said: “We are delighted to see at long last the council is helping to do something about the town centre.

“It is obviously trying to address the problems but they are very deep-seated, and it is going to take a long time to get round them all. The main issues are accessibility and presentation.”

Mrs Edwards added: “There is a tremendous history here in Colchester, but it just isn’t being utilised. We need to make the most of the heritage here in the town, rather than building new things instead.”

Ken Chambers, owner of Cellinis Nail Studio, in North Hill, which opened in 1963, said: “The council has been making plans for the past 50 years, and they have progressed slowly.

“But really, in order to get more people into the town, we need to give people cheaper places to park. I have clients come to me who have parked in a car park and they are watching the clock because it is costing them so much.

“They’re not going to stop for a coffee or to buy some shoes, or maybe a bag. They just rush back to their cars.”

Howard Davies, town centre project manager, said: “We are always interested in people’s opinions, but this is not a consultation as such. We are just hoping to explain about the different parts of the improvement project.

“The town will certainly be looking very different in another ten years. We will have the new court building and the Visual Arts Facility.”