PLANS to create a Wellington ‘town square’ as a focal point for outdoor community activities have been discussed week.

The scheme would be funded from a £100,000 emergency town centre recovery grant which the district council has awarded to Wellington.

Town councillor John Thorne has proposed remodelling the carriageway and paved area outside the old Post Office, in High Street, to make a larger public space similar to a town square.

It would involve relocating the High Street bus stop, three car parking spaces and a loading/unloading zone.

Cllr Thorne said: “We have been asked how we could use £100,000 to revitalise the town centre after Covid-19 and a number of councillors have suggested holding regular markets and having street entertainers to attract people. If we had a ‘town square’ like many other communities have, then this would be a natural focal point for such activities."

“The town council already rents out the space outside the former Post Office for things like a weekly fishmonger’s visit, and it is used regularly by farmers’ market stallholders and we put the town’s Christmas tree on it every year.

“But the area is rather cramped and with a much bigger space we would be able to do events on a larger scale as well as make it more attractive with seating and planting to encourage people to gather once the coronavirus restrictions are gone.”

The ‘town square’ idea was being debated at a virtual meeting last week of Wellington’s town centre working group, which comprises a mix of councillors and local business owners.

For the full story see this week’s Wellington Weekly News.