Shoppers and business owners have had their say on whether a town centre should be reopened to traffic.

Earlier this week The Leader reported how Buckley town councillors met to discuss the the potential de-pedestrianisation of Brunswick Road.

Town mayor Cllr David Ellis suggested anything which might bring more footfall to the town centre should be explored further, including consultation with businesses.

But some councillors were opposed to the idea, one calling the area “a haven” for elderly pedestrians.

The Leader visited Buckley to get the views of shoppers and town centre businesses.

Elwyn Thomas, 69, of Buckley, said: “I’m against it. I think we should have somewhere for pedestrians. I don’t think opening it up will bring more business here.

“It is safe now, so leave it alone.

Buckley resident Sylvia Probert said: “I don’t think it would be a good thing, It should be left as it is for older people.”

Ozcan Temur, owner of the Big Fish 2 chip shop, said: “The council needs to open it to traffic – shops are closing here every day.

“They need to open the road and bring big brand businesses here because there’s no one in Buckley.

“There’s new houses being built but it doesn’t help.

“There are now no banks as well and since last year there has been a big change in trade.”

Dan Thain, aged 25 and owner of Dapper Daniel’s barber shop, said: “I don’t think opening the road will make a big difference to business.

“bringing more shops in would help bring more footfall, but it’s a catch-22 situation.

“People don’t come here because there’s no shops and shops don’t come because there’s not enough footfall.

“Making the car parks free would help as well – over Christmas when there is free parking there are a lot more cars.”

At the meeting of Buckley Town Council last week, Mark Edwards, Flintshire Council’s Streetscene coordinator for Buckley, told councillors there was the potential to explore the idea further.

But for that to happen, there has to be the “will” from Buckley Town Council to say that is what its members want, Mr Edwards added.

Several members suggested there would have to be a consultation – potentially even a local referendum – ahead of such a move.

Councillors voted to ask Martin Wright, clerk to the town council, to write to Flintshire Council advising that the town council cannot consider any proposals unless indicative plans are provided to give some guidelines on which to work.

This information would, for example, include a design statement and costings.