A CRUNCH meeting between traders, councillors and residents is set to take place to debate how Wickford High Street can be transformed into a thriving success.

Traders and residents will be given an “open and transparent arena” to discuss the challenges that Wickford is facing... and how this could lead to additional opportunities.

The meeting will be headed by the Prosperity Scrutiny Committee led by councillor Peter Holliman and will cover “the past, present and future of Wickford High Street”.

Don Morris, Tory councillor and member of the prosperity scrutiny committee, fears the days of big name shops in high streets are long gone.

He said: “It’s something we’d all like to see but there needs to be a consensus agreement on what needs to be done.

“I think the problem is if you look at the High Street, yes we’d like more shops but realistically these days a lot of people do their shopping online and that’s when it begins to get difficult.

“If you’ve got a clothes shop for example you need to have an income and footfall coming in that you can make a profit on but you’re unlikely to get that these days.”

Mr Morris would also like businesses such as restaurants to take more ownership in making their buildings more accessible to residents.

As a wheelchair user, he often struggles to use particular shops and feels this is another way to improve the area.

He added: “I often see new restaurants in the High Street and I get around in a wheelchair quite a bit which makes me think.

“If I was to use some of these stores I wouldn’t be able to get in by myself, or if I had to use the toilet it would be quite difficult as well.”

Mr Morris remains focused on improving the High Street and would like to organise events like markets in which the community can gather and boost the economy.

However, he feels different parties provide stumbling blocks that prevent progress.

He said: “These markets can bring people from far and wide which would be very helpful to all businesses.

“But the bus companies insist on going through the High Street even though there aren’t any stops there and they just drive through.”

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 12, from 7pm to 9.30pm in The Wick Community Centre.